We could see the fast and we could see the furious crowds. But a lot went on in the backyard. For instance:
Manmohan Singh took up a challenge to prove he's as good as the fasting crusader Anna Hazare. And he seems to have overcome the challenge. So while Anna had the whole country wear 'I Am Anna' cap, MMS had the whole Congress party going mum in his patent grace. He found his very first follower in none other than the Rahul baba. No wonder, the Gandhi scion was not seen ...or heard talking even once ever since the anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare refused to accept the government's humble advice to go slow and put his foot down to go fast.
The MMS effect is reported to have caught up so strongly among the Congmen that those who wanted to run their mouths without consulting their grey matter, have been asked to take a break...like for instance Manish Tiwari and Kapil Sibal were bottled up and asked to take a break.
And yes, I know the secret of the PM's uncalculated silence. He was once invited for a talk show on a leading news channel. He had a lots to say. But the anchor didn't allow him to speak. After that, he didn't speak in public for a long time due to shock. Later he swore never to resort to public speaking no matter what.
Moving on, everybody wondered where's mum Sonia through all this chaos. And flying came the news that she was busy making a double cheese margherita for Anna. This happened after she called the latter last evening and asked him, "Hungry Kya?" and he gave her a grim look.
And yes, coming back to MMS. Though he has had a history of not opening his mouth, this time he chose not to stay away altogether. Well, people are saying he could've done a Bharat Kumar errr Manoj Kumar and appeared palm-faced before the cameras. That would've added some more brownie points to his patriotism. But no, he preferred to stay away and for good reasons. It wasn't safe for him to venture out. Sanjay Nirupam saved his ass by emerging from his cage in an "I Am Anna" Gandhi cap. MMS wouldn't have had a choice in such a situation.
Ah! by the way, palm-faced Manoj Kumar maybe a myth. Google Images produces no results for phrase.
As for others, it was business as usual. Like Advani was still seen making twilight attempts at getting the top seat vacated. Sushma Swaraj was heard telling the Speaker, Parliament that this government is corrupt and should go. And Aajtak kept playing promos of RGV's 'Not a Love Story'. Maybe they think that the background score which sounds like the chirp of a constipated bird would pull some sympathy for the otherwise diarrhoea-inducing flick.
Meanwhile, look who else is eagerly looking forward to the Jan Lokpal Bill.
Aunt Sarah (in Lady & The Tramp): Stop whistling!!
Beaver: "You don't have to stop me from whistling now. The Jan Lokpal Bill is coming to protect us, the whistle blowers."
