Having worked together in the party since their younger days, the two men were intimate and friendly. Though Anbumozhi served under Selvan, the two talked like friends, when they were alone.
Having observed the leadership qualities of Selvan from close quarters, since his early days in the party, Anbumozhi readily accepted Selvan as the leader. On his part, Selvan gave Anbumozhi the respect and the recognition due to him, both in the party and in the government.
"Everyone says that your two assistants are the best of the lot. They also say that it was your training that has moulded them into perfection!"
"If that is the case, is it fair on your part to deprive me of an assistant trained by me?"
"You can appoint someone new and train him to be the best, just as you had trained the two men with you now."
"Ok. I will spare one, as desired by you. I suggest that you take Murugan."
"Of your two assistants, I hear that Babu is more efficient than Murugan. I can understand your desire to keep the better of the two with you. I accept your offer. I will take Murugan" said Selvam.
"I am not offering Murugan to you because I want to keep the better of the two. You being the Chief Minister, I believe that Murugan is more suitable than Babu to be your assistant" said Anbumozhi.
"Why do you say so?"
"I will show you. I will go to my cabin now and call you over phone, and keep the call open. Please listen to the conversations that will take place in my room. I will then come back to your cabin and explain" said Anbumozhi and left the Chief Minister's cabin.
Anbumozhi returned to the Chief Minister's cabin after a few minutes.
"What do you think, Chief Minister? Do you understand why I said that Murugan was better suited than Babu to be your personal assistant?" he asked Selvan, smiling.
"I understand, Anbumozhi! After getting back to your cabin, you called Murugan. He knew that you had returned after meeting me. But he didn't ask you anything about your meeting with me. He listened to your instructions and left. You then called Babu. The moment he stepped into your room, he asked you, 'Sir, did you discuss something important with the Chief Minister?" You said, 'No.' He then listened to your instructions. Before leaving your cabin, he again asked you, 'Sir! Did the Chief Minister give you any information about some new developments?' I realized that he was curious to know what transpired in your meeting with me. I understand that you didn't recommend Babu, because you felt that his inquisitive nature made him unsuitable to function under me, considering that as the Chief Minister, I will be handling many sensitive matters" said Selvan.
"Yes. If I spoke to someone in private, Babu would be curious to know what we had discussed. Most of the time, he could not even contain his curiosity and ask me about what was discussed. But, Murugan won't do so. He had never asked me to tell him about anything that I discussed with anyone in private. He knows that I will tell him about things he needs to know and wait for me to tell him what I choose to" said Anbumozhi.
"You have been thoughtful in suggesting Murugan. I appreciate your decision. A person like Babu, who has too much curiosity, may even listen at the doors!" said the Chief Minister.
"Possible. But I believe that so far he has not done such a thing. Perhaps, I have to be more cautious. But, you are lucky. You are getting a good assistant, Murugan. Congratulations!" said Anbumozhi, laughing.
Section 2
Getting Close to the Ruler
epporuLum OrAr thodarAr maRRu aporuLai
vittakkAl kEtka maRai.
Verse 694
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