569. The Price of Complacence

"The president of MNK party has been sending feelers to us about his intention to switch over to our side. He is keen on meeting you" said Vikas, the president of LNP, the ruling party.

"All along, he had joined hands with our opponents and acted against us. Now that he has broken away from the opposition alliance due to some squabble, he wants to jump to our side for his own survival. I am not inclined to humour him, by giving him an audience" said Surender, the Prime Minister. 

"Switching sides and shifting stands even on important issues are common practices in politics" said Vikas.

"There are still two years for the elections. We have nothing to gain by associating with MNK party at this stage. Let us just ignore him for the time being. Let him live in desperation for some time."

"The opposition leader has been trying to build a strong alliance against us, by mobilizing several political parties. Should we also not strengthen our side?"

"We are in power. The opposition parties are weak. They are trying to group together so that they could win at least a few seats in the elections. Why should we emulate the strategies of people who are weak?" said Surender, putting an end to the discussion. 

 "There are only two months for the election. How is the situation?" Surender asked Vyas.

"The opinion polls say that there will be a tough fight between us and the opposition alliance. As per the report of our government's secret service, our prospects of winning the elections are not bright. I am afraid that the media, which has always been trying to please us, because of the fear it has for us, has been doctoring the opinion poll results and projecting a narrow win for us" said Vikas, with concern.

"Even if there will be a tough fight, we can win. We are in power and we have the government machinery at our disposal. However, to be on the safer side, let us strengthen our alliance. You said that MNK Party had been sending feelers to us. Invite their leader for a meeting with me. If we can bring them to our side, the scales will tilt in our favour."

"Since we had been ignoring them for a long time, they became alienated from us. They are very hostile to us now. I heard reports that taking advantage of the situation, the opposition leader had been trying to pacify MNK and take it back into the opposition alliance. If they offer the party a couple of seats more than what it had contested last time, it will go with them."

"Oh!" said Surender, feeling disappointed.

"Moreover, VMM party that has been in our alliance for a long time is on the vergeof crossing over to the opposition alliance. For the past few days, the party president has not been picking up my calls. I have not been able to get an audience with him either" added Vikas.

Oh My God!" said Surender, feeling shocked. "MVM has been a steadfast and long-standing ally of our party. If that party crosses over to the other side, it will send wrong signals to the electorate and create a perception that we have become weak. We should prevent this from happening."

"Sir! The president of MVV has a long-standing grievance that you have not been giving him the respect and attention due to him. I suggested to you many times to invite him and have a talk with him. He himself tried to meet you a few times. But you didn't give him an appointment. So, he is also aggrieved. I am afraid that the opposition leader had already won over him too to his side.

"In that case, we may not be able to win the election" said Surender, realizing the reality of the situation for the first time.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 57

Refraining From Doing Terrifying Things

Verse 569 (in Tamil):

seru vandha pOzhdhil siRai seyyA vEndhan
veru vandhu veydhu kedum.

Meaning:

A king who has not built his defences, will in times of war, be seized with fear and quickly perish.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kUttaNik kaNakkugaL' by the same author.)

Verse 570 (Soon)
Verse 568