636. The Acting Chief Minister

"The Chief Minister has designated Chandramurthy, a novice with no political or administrative experience, as the Acting Chief Minister, during the time the Chief Minister would be on a foreign tour, ignoring senior people like us, who have rich experience in governance. Will Chandramurthy be able to manage?" Minister Parivallal asked Minister Kulaidaivelu.

"Chandramurthy is well educated, no doubt. But, education will be of no help in politics. Political wisdom is entirely different from the knowledge gained by college education. It is a pity that the Chief Minister did not realize this basic fact" said Kulandaivelu, sharing the concern of his cabinet colleague.

"The Chief Minister will be returning from his foreign tour only after three weeks. Within this period, we will create problems for Chandramurthy, leading him to commit mistakes. When the Chief Minister returns, he will be so angry with Chanrdramurthy for the mess created by him that he will dismiss Chandramurthy from the cabinet" said Parivallal. 

After returning from his foreign tour, the Chief Minister convened the meeting of the Executive committee of his party.

"During the time I was abroad, you people took good care of both the government and the party. I am thankful to you for this" said the Chief Minister. 

After looking at every one, he continued:

"It is true that Chandramurthy doesn't have much experience in politics or governance. But I made him the Acting Chief Minister, considering that he was well educated and capable of thinking clearly and doing things efficiently. As expected by me, he has functioned in an admirable manner. Apart from overcoming the hurdles created for his smooth functioning by some senior leaders of our party, he had also been vigilant about the schemes of the ruling party at the cenrre, which has always been looking for an opportunity to undermine us. Chandramurthy took extraordinary care to ensure that he didn't fall into the trap laid by the central government. Fallen into such a well-laid trap would have jeopardized the functioning of our government and got a bad name for us. He discharged the responsibility I had entrusted with him in an efficient manner and enhanced the image of our party in the eyes of the people. I congratulate him on his achievement."

Parivallal and Kuzhandaivelu looked at the Chief Minister, shocked and dismayed by his words. 

"Sir! I didn't do anything great. I reflected how you would act in specific situations and acted accordingly" said Chandramurthy, embarrassed by the praise showered on him by the Chief Minister. 

"I appreciate your prudence in recording, on a daily basis, all the happenings in the government and the party and giving  it to me on my return from the tour. Going through your diary, I learnt about every thing that went on during my absence" said the Chief Minister, with a smirk on his face.

He paused for a while and said, "One more thing. I want to reward senior ministers Parivallal and Kulandaivelu for the things they did in my absence. So, I have decided to give them rest, by relieving them from their positions" 

He turned to Parivallal and Kulandaivelu and smiled at them, as if he was greeting them.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 64
Being A Minister

Verse 636 (in Tamil):
madhi nutpam nUlOdu udaiyArkku adhi nutpam 

yAvuA mun niRpavai.

Meaning:

For one who has an impressive intellect, and is well-read,

is there any task that can be extremely challenging?

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'poRuppu mudhalvar' by the same author.) 

Verse 637 (Soon)
Verse 635