5th Column

Satellite on the familiar orbit
My dear Junius,
I thought of writing to you even though you are in the Land of Never Return because with every passing day, Satellite reminds us so much of you.
The good lady is now nearing the end of her two terms in office and it is perhaps time to think of the good old days when you ruled supreme and wonder how similar your reign was to hers.

Why, just last week Satellite gave in to Thonda’s demands and ensured her survival once more, just like you did so many times. Of course, this was with Thondaman the grandson but then, what’s the difference anyway?

We remember you disqualified your principal political opponent, Mrs. B using a special commission of inquiry. Satellite didn’t do exactly do that herself, but her principal political opponent, Mr. SB is also disqualified now-and in jail too!
You too had to deal with Velu and became unpopular after you invited the Indians to handle them. Satellite doesn’t seem very successful either, especially after she re-invited the Norwegians and is now becoming unpopular herself.

We do recall how you had several ministries under you with powerful secretaries who ran the show, often disregarding other ministers. Well, Junius the tradition continues to this day. And, you had a finance minister who crossed over from the opposite side and a foreign minister from a minority community and so has Satellite.

Then, you too had in your Cabinet, a couple of colleagues who dared to criticise you and they didn’t last long. Satellite also has the same problem and whether she will be brave enough to sack the offenders is left to be seen, because unlike in your time Junius, now no one resigns!

Then, for the job of Prime Minister, you appointed someone whom you didn’t really want to be the next leader. It is safe to say that Satellite has done likewise. Your Prime Minister went on to take your job and no doubt the present incumbent would like to follow in his footsteps!

We do know you briefly entertained thoughts of running for a third term although saner counsel prevailed. Satellite is now in the same phase and it appears that saner counsel is hard to find these days although there are people willing to administer oaths in secret ceremonies!

And what’s more, Satellite is now talking of having a referendum as a solution to all our problems. We remember you too did that and in fact held a referendum which you won but many people see that as the beginning of the end in your rule. Satellite of course, called for a referendum once before but never held it, so we can never be sure because the lady is entitled to change her mind…

What is left to be seen now, Junius is whether, like you, Satellite will have the grace to go when people ask her why she is leaving instead of waiting until they ask why she isn’t leaving. And, we don’t expect her to follow your example on that!

Yours truly,
Punchi Putha.
PS-There is just one more similarity between you and Satellite and that is both of you trying to promote that unfortunate individual, Anura. You didn’t succeed, so we do not expect Satellite to have much of a chance…

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