CHAPTER 16
Shivaram’s political aspirations
Auto stopped in front of Shivayya’s father Bhaskaraiah’s
house. His wife’s brother, Shivaram, his wife and 16 years old daughter, Laxmi
got down. The workers took the luggage inside. Shivayya’s mother Varalaxmi welcomed
them happily. They all entered the hall and sat on the sofas.
Varalaxmi brought coffee for everyone. “How are you,
brother? How is the rain at your village?”
Shivaram smiled. “Very good, sister. We will soon be
putting the seeds. Where is my brother-in-law?”
Varalaxmi laughed. “He and Shivayya go to the factory
early in the morning and return late at night.”
Shivaram asked, “What about Vasundara?”
“She has joined medical college in Hyderabad. She
wants to become a doctor.”
***************************************
At night, Shivayya and others were sitting
in the hall.
Bhaskaraiah said, “Shivaram, I advice you not to join
politics. It makes people do bad deeds.”
Shivaram said, “No bhava. I want to join politics to
serve the people. I will not get involved in dirty politics.”
The 20 years old Shivayya was listening to his uncle’s
talk seriously. He said, “Everyone says that when they join politics. God has
given us land. Why not just look after that and live happily?”
Shivaram said coolly, “You are still young. You don’t
know anything.”
Then he looked at Bhaskaraiah. “What do you say,
bhava? Will you use your influence and get me a seat as MPP president or not?”
Bhaskaraiah said, “I am not in politics. I am just an
industrialist in this district. But I know some big leaders in all parties.
There are 200 workers in my factory. Nothing should hinder the work. So I have
to support the ruling party.”
Shivaram said, “That is why I have come to you. Even
the area minister, Manohar is a great friend of yours.”
Bhaskaraiah closed his eyes for a while. “Manohar is
not a great friend of mine as you imagine. But he has been wining since many
years. They are all powerful fraction leaders. They always win through rigging.
Ordinary men will never vote for them. They have been looting the jilla and
earning cores of rupees. My friendship is only from business point of view.”
Shivayya was listening seriously to everything. “This
time I will not allow rigging in our area. I have already prepared our youth
team for it.”
Bhaskaraiah looked at his young son. “Shivayya, you
don’t get involved in all that. You are still young. You don’t know how
dangerous it is.”
Shivaram pleaded. “Please uncle. I promise that if you
get me the seat, I will safe guard your name. I will not be like that Manohar.”
“Ok. As you wish.”
Shivayya said seriously, “Just one minute. There was
one condition.”
He went and brought a photo of Gandhiji. He placed it in front of Shivaram. Everyone looked at him
in a shock. Laxmi was excited.
Shivayya said, “Put your hand over this photo and
promise that you will walk on the Gandhi marg and serve the people.”
Shivaram put his hand on the photo coolly. “I am
entering politics with the influence of Gandhiji.”
Bhaskaraiah said, “You don’t worry. I will phone
tomorrow itself. “
Then he looked at Laxmi. “You have passed 10th
with 1st class, isn’t it? What next? Are you going to join college?”
Laxmi was shy and spoke softly. “I came to ask
Shivayya’s permission.”
Bhaskaraiah was surprised. “Why?”
Laxmi smiled. ‘After all I am going to marry him.”
All laughed.
Varalaxmi said, “Shivayya stopped studies at 10th
itself. He is just not interested on further studies. But I would love to have
an educated daughter-in-law.”
Bhaskaraiah looked at the silent Shivayya. “Eh!
Shivayya. Tell her your opinion.”
Shivayya looked at Laxmi seriously. “I am not so
interested in studying so I stopped. But you are very intelligent. I will marry
you only after you have become double graduate.”
Shivaram laughed. “These modern children. They decide
before marriage what they want.”
He looked at Laxmi and Shivayya. “No problem. I will
get her married only after she has become a double graduate.”
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