5th Column

In cricket, like in politics, loyalty matters in the end
"Thaaththa," Bindu Udagedera asked, "what will happen to the election?"
"Which election is that?" Bindu's father Percy was puzzled, "Has Satellite dissolved Parliament?"

"No, it's not that…"
"Why, do they then want to have elections to this Interim Administration that they are talking about in the North and the East?"

"No, thaaththa," Bindu explained, "It is time for the elections to the Cricket Board…"
"Ah," said Percy, "you are more interested in that even though the peace talks have stalled and floods have killed hundreds…"

"I think the whole country is interested, thaaththa, because it is Captain Cool against the Dark Horse…" Bindu said.

"But," Percy said, "I thought the result was a foregone conclusion…"
"Why do you say that, thaaththa?"

"Why, Bindu, everyone says the Dark Horse has got enough votes because even Captain Cool's own club did not support him…"

"But isn't it funny, thaaththa how that support has changed?"
"Why do you say that, thaaththa?'"

"Why, Bindu, when the Dark Horse last contested, Captain Cool's brother was on his side and he ran against Satellite's brother…"

"And it was Seeni Bola who eventually dismissed him…"
"But now, the Dark Horse is running against Captain Cool and Seeni Bola is also on his side because he has turned Green…"

"And what's more, Captain Cool's loyal vice-captain is running alongside the Dark Horse…"

"In this country," Percy said, "loyalties in cricket change faster than loyalties in politics…"

"And," Bindu said, "As we saw when the last elections were held, they can be as violent as political elections…"

"And who knows," Percy argued, "the voting too may be as they are in political elections…"

"I wouldn't worry too much about that," Bindu said, "because the two contestants were in the same camp earlier, so they should know each other's secrets…"

"But Bindu," Percy said, "this election is like politics in another way too, though you are too young to remember that…"

"What's that, thaaththa?"
"It is like JRJ running against Hector at the Presidential elections more than twenty years ago…"

"Why do you say that?" Bindu wanted to know.
"Everyone knew that JRJ would win but Hector still ran knowing he would lose because he had to and there was no one else to do the job…"

"So, it's like Captain Cool running against the Dark Horse now…"
"Yes, it is…" Percy agreed.
"And JRJ did win, didn't he?"

"Yes he did," Percy said, "but that is part of the problem, Bindu…"
"Why do you say that?" Bindu was puzzled.

"Everyone thought JRJ is the better man for the job because he had a plan and a vision, so much like the Dark Horse now…"

"But what is wrong with that?"

"JRJ did have a vision but that vision allowed only himself to be at the top and that eventually led to his downfall, and the whole country suffered as a result, didn't it?"

"So, do you think it will be the same if the Dark Horse wins?" Bindu asked.
"At least," Percy said, "JRJ had the grace to retire after two terms but the Dark Horse is after his third…"

Bindu couldn't disagree with that.

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