71. Devyani goes to meet Shastri

CHAPTER 71

Devyani goes to meet Shastri

Devyani entered the jilla by car. She saw a banner ‘Welcome to JPP, Laxmi’. She was surprised. “Aunty has become JPP. Today is function. “

She smiled. “One day or the other uncle will become CM. I wonder how he is. I wonder whether I will get to see him. But first I must see papa.”

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Shivayya got ready in the morning. Laxmi was also getting ready. Outside party people were waiting.

Laxmi said to Shivayya, “Since yesterday, you are not saying anything. Are you coming for the function today or not?”

Shivayya said coolly, “Forgiv me. You are JPP now. The party people are giving function. I don’t belong to any party.”

Laxmi was shocked. “But you are also in the party. If you don’t want to come, just say so.”

“Yes. I will not come. I am going to Hyderabad to resign from the party. I will meet the CM. God bless you.”

Shivayya went and climbed his jeep. The jeep moved. 

Shivayya thought, “That badmash CM. He is behind all these dramas. I must show him who I am.”

Jeep entered the main road.

At the same time, Devyani’s car entered the village. Children ran behind the car. The car stopped in front of Shastri’s house.

At the same time, Laxmi’s car moved towards Jilla headquarters with party people.

Meanwhile, Devyani’s driver opened the car door. The angle Devyani got down from the car. Shastri came out of the house. Devyani was very happy to see her father after a long time. “Appa.”

Shastri stared at her. “Who are you?”

Devyani was shocked. “Appa, it is me. Devyani.”

“She is dead. I have even done her karma.”

Devyani was shocked. “Why are you talking like that? I am Devyani.”

Shastri looked at her. “She took her mother’s path. She is her daughter and not mine. My daughter is dead.”

Devyani had tears in her eyes. “What are you saying?”

She went and sat on the bed.

Shastri asked angrily, “If you remain here for even one minute, you will see my dead body in the lake.”

He took his shawl and started walking out.

Devyani got scared. She stopped him.  “I am leaving. Don’t die for me. I will never come back.”

Devyani went and climbed into the car. The car moved.

Devyani pointed to Shivayya’s house. “Go to that house.”

Car stopped in front of Shivayya’s house. People gathered around the car.

Devyani asked, “Where is uncle?”

One villager said, “He has gone to Hyderabad.”

“Where is amma?”

Another villager said, “She is now the Jilla Parishad President. She has gone to the function.”

Devyani was very sad. But people were very happy to see a heroine in their village. They had all seen her film ANARKALI. They looked at her in admiration.

One boy said, “You have become a heroine now.”

Devyani did not smile.

Another boy said, “I have seen your film 4 times.”

Devyani climbed into the car. She did namaskara to everyone. The car moved. She looked towards Shastri’s house. She saw her father entering the house. Devyani put her hand on her chest with relief.

70. Shivayya comes to know of Naga’s trick

CHAPTER 70

Shivayya comes to know of Naga’s trick

A function was arranged for Laxmi by the party in the jilla. Jilla party district president Ramdeo came with followers to meet Shivayya. He welcomed them. “Please come.”

President said, “Sir, your wife has won. So we are holding a function at the district headquarters. You should also come.”

He gave Shivayya an invitation card.

Shivayya looked at the card. It was written, “Presided by Naga.”

He was shocked. His face fell.

President insisted, “You should come.”

Shivayya said coolly, “Let us see.”

He went inside the house.

Laxmi was dressing. Shivayya put the card in front of her.

Laxmi looked at the card and said, “Yes. They had phoned that they will be coming. Are they here?”

“They are waiting for you.”

Laxmi looked at him seriously. She went out and did namaskara to everyone.

“I will be there on time tomorrow. I will take charge after the function.”

President said, “Madam, thousands of people will come. You should take voth in front of them. We have arranged everything on the grounds.”

Laxmi was very happy.

Leader said, “HM has already arrived. He is making all the arrangements.”

Laxmi was surprised. “Is it? Give him my thanks.”

The men left. Laxmi entered the house.

Shivayya came out seriously. He left the house and went walking on the road. Suddenly a Panchayat jeep came. Seeing Shivayya, the jeep stopped.

Chief Secretary got down and did namaskara. “How are you sir?”

“Fine.”

“We are lucky madam has become Jilla Parishad President.”

“It was not necessary.”

“Actually you should have got the post. It was all that HM Naga’s political game.”

Shivayya was surprised. “What game?”

“The post was in general category. Naga got it reserved for the ladies so that you will not be able to apply.”

Shivayya got very angry.

Chief Secretary said, “That new Panchayat Raj secretary is Naga’s man. He will dance according to his tune.”

Shivayya became serious.

CS said, “I came to give this to madam since she is taking charge tomorrow.”

He gave the order to Shivayya.

Shivayya entered the house. Laxmi was getting ready. “I want ot tell you something.”

Laxmi was surprised. “What?”

“Do you know who changed that post from general to ladies? To create fire between us. It is the job of that badmash Naga.”

Laxmi was surprised. “You always blame Naga for everything. “

Shivayya was shocked. He stared at her. “What did you say? Does he look like a good man to you now?”

“No. but you are saying that I became Jilla Parishad President because of him and not because of my eligibility.”

Shivayya looked at her seriously.

Laxmi said seriously, “You want me to resign. That’s all. Isn’t it?”

Shivayya remained silent. “No. Don’t resign just for my sake.”

He went out angrily.

69. Naga speaks with Laxmi on phone

CHAPTER 69

Naga speaks with Laxmi on phone

Shivayya was with Shastri at the temple. Shivayya told Shastri about what had happened between him and his wife.

Shastri said, “You have done a mistake, Shivayya.”

Shivayya looked at him in surprise.

Shastri said, “It is a great thing for this jilla or this State to have a good leader like you. Through your organization, you are developing this jilla so much. You are reminding us of Gandhiji.”

Shvayya looked at him. “I am doing it as a duty.”

Shastri said, “These political leaders are not doing even 10% of what you are doing. That Naga is a big demon. Vasundara may be your sister but she will be president only in name. Naga will hav the jilla in his hold. That is why Laxmi has agreed. Don’t stop her.”

Shivayya nodded. “Ok swami. I will do as you say. I have never scolded her in my life.”

Shivayya looked at his hand. “Today I hit her. I don’t know how to face her.”

Shastri patted his back. “Don’t worry. I will come with you.”

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Laxmi was sitting with her hands on her head. Shivayya entered with Shastri. Laxmi put a mat for him. Shastri sat down on the mat.

Laxmi sat down with tears in her eyes.

Shivayya was sitting looking somewhere.

Shastri approached Laxmi and caressed her head.  “He hit you. Some tension it seems. Forgive him.”

Laxmi looked at Shastri and then she looked at Shivayya. She wiped her eyes.

Shivayya said, “Tomorrow is a good day. You go and apply for the post. Please forgive me.”

Laxmi was surprised to see the change in Shivayya. She looked at Shastri, who smiled at her and nodded.

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Laxmi filed nomination papers. CM phoned.

CM said, “I am very happy that you are the candidate from our party. Your jilla minister and HM Naga want to talk to you.”

Laxmi was shocked to hear Naga’s name. “Forgive me, sir. It was not necessary.”

CM insisted. “Don’t keep enmity like that. He only got that post reserved for ladies so that you will apply.”

Laxmi was shocked.

“If you say yes, I will give him connection.”

“Ok sir.”

Naga said on phone, “Please forget the past. We all wanted to make Shivayya the Jilla Parishad President. But he told CM that he did not want the post. That is why I reserved it for ladies. I am sure that you will win with full majority. Congratulations.”

Laxmi said, “Thank you sir.”

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Laxmi returned home after filing the application. She was worried about Shivayya. She thought, “Shall I tell him about Naga or not?”

Shivayya was sitting on a chair in the hall. Laxmi looked at his face. He was very serious.

Laxmi thought, “If I tell him, he might make me took back my application.”

Laxmi said, “As soon as I applied for the post, all the opposition candidates withdrew. I am the only candidate now. So I will win unanimously.”

Shivayya said coolly, “Is it? Good.”

68. Laxmi wants to become Jilla Parishad President

CHAPTER 68

Laxmi wants to become Jilla Parishad President

Leading ladies of the jilla come in groups to meet Laxmi. Laxmi welcomed them. They shouted ‘Jindabad Laxmi’. Laxmi felt pleasurable sensation all over her body.

Leader said, “Madam, we want you only as the Jilla Parishad President.”

Laxmi said, “Let us see. It depends upon Shivayya’s decision.”

“So you have agreed. Now we just need brother’s permission, that’s all.”

Another lady said, “We will sit here till he agrees.”

Shivayya came out.

Leader said, “Brother, you should have been our Jilla Parishad President. Unfortunately that is not possible. Now we want madam as candidate.”

Shivayya asked seriously, “But why her? We have so many other powerful ladies.”

The ladies were disappointed.

One lady said, “There is no one like her in this jilla. Please don’t say no.”

Shivayya sat with his hand on his head. “There is still 2 days left. Let us see.”

One lady asked, “Do you know one thing?”

Shivayya was surprised. “What?”

The lady said, “I am from HM Naga’s village. He is planning to make his sister Vasundara a candidate if madam did not agree. He is planing to take grip of our jilla.”

Shivayya was shocked.

Laxmi said angrily, “I will never allow that. I will be the candidate.”

All clapped. Shivayya got up and went inside. Laxmi followed.

Shivayya said, “Laxmi, please don’t enter politics. How come you agreed? You always hated politics.”

Laxmi asked, “Do you want your sister to be the candidate?”

Shivayya shook his head. “No. But we don’t want politics. There are so many ladies better than you. We will elect one of them. We can work from behind.”

Laxmi said stubbornly, “You ask those ladies. You ask the public. I am the best candidate in the jilla.”

Shivayya was shocked.

Laxmi said, “I will apply for the post. I will not allow that Vasundara to become a candidate.”

Shivayya got very angry. He slapped her.

Laxmi was shocked. “Why did you slap me?”

She had tears in her eyes.

Shivayya got up and went out.