59. Shivayya agrees to make Naga win

CHAPTER 59

Shivayya agrees to make Naga win

Shivayya was sitting in front of CM.

CM asked, “Have you seen the list, Shivayya?”

“Sir, I am new to politics. I don’t know very will who is good and who is bad. My system is different. If in my organization anyone makes a mistake, I just hit them on spot.”

CM looked at him seriously. “You are totally different. I am helpless. I have to balance everyone.”

Shivayya said, “Sir, I know only two marga (paths). One Gandhi marg for development and the other Subash marg for eliminating criminals. That is my balance.”

CM closed his eyes for a while. “I called you to discuss something important. In this election, you have to tour the State for our party.”

Shivayya nodded. “Ok sir.”

CM said, “I have done one thing without telling you. I hope you will forgive me.”

Shivayya was surprised. “What is that, sir?”

CM looked at him seriously. “I will tell you if you will forgive me.”

“I promise. Tell me.”

“I have kept your word not to give ticket to Mahohar and Shivaram. But under the pressure from high command, I had to give ticket to Manohar’s son Naga.”

Shivayya was shocked. ‘Sir, you know what type of family that is. They have ruined the whole jilla and amassed wealth. That Naga stood in Panchayat election and lost his deposit even though his father has 25 years of experience. How can you give him a ticket?”

CM folded his hands. “I know. That is why I am asking you to forgive me. It was force from Delhi. I was planning to leave politics myself because of that seat.”

Shivayya became cool. “As you wish, sir. Why should you leave politics for his sake?”

CM said, “I have to keep the word given to you that’s why. The present politics is such that I have to balance everything or else I have to leave.”

“No sir. Don’t do that. In the present political I think we are lucky to have good people like you at the top. You give him the ticket.”

CM extended his hands. “Thanks. But give me one promise.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Without your support, he will not win. Once we give him a ticket, we have to make him win otherwise they will say that I have done backstabbing.”

Shivayya looked at him. “Looks like it is very important for Delhi people that he wins. No problem. I promise that I will make him win.”

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Manikyam’s cinema was released. Distributors phoned to Manikyam.

Manikyam asked, “How is the film?”

Distributor said, “The opening was very good because of super star Raviraj.”

Manikyam put his hand on his chest. “How is it in Tamil Nadu?”

“Opening was beauty.”

Manikyam was happy to hear the good news.

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In the evening the distributors phoned to Manikyam. “Sir, public talk is that the picture is a failure. The collection is not even 50%. Some fans have burnt the posters because the picture is not good.”

Manohar sat with his hands on his head.

At night Manikyam and Dhanalaxmi were sitting in the hall near the phone.

Devyani approached them. “It is already 11pm. Will you come for dinner?”

Manikyam looked at her. “I am so scared. I can’t eat anything.”

“Uncle, you have taken so many films, how can you say that you are scared?”

“I have been in film field for 20 years and taken 50 films already. In fact I made that Raviraj a super star. But that director fooled me. He made me take the film in 3 languages and made me spend over budget.”

Devyani went into the kitchen and brought curd rice for both of them. “Uncle, please eat curd rice.”

“If I see your face, I become more courageous. You just sit in front of me. I can answer all the phone calls.”

She sat in front of them and they both eat curd rice.