The Quixotic Adventure of Rajesh Kapoor
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: May 20 2011 -
RAJESH KAPOOR who runs a dry cleaner's shop in Thangal bazar is a non local man. He had filed nomination papers for the forthcoming IMC polls scheduled on May 25.
He had filed his papers for candidature in Ward No 25. On May 12 a local vernacular evening daily carried a report that the Federation of Regional Indigenous Societies (FREINDS) had found out that he was contesting the local civic polls.
The chain of events started gathering momentum on May 13 when the KCP (Maoist) warned him and his family of grave consequences if he did not withdraw his candidacy. They also announced the permanent shut down of his shop 'Star Dry Cleaners'.
It is difficult to understand what made Kapoor embark on this adventure. It could be that Rajesh Kapoor had little idea of the sentiments of the local people and that he was living in a fool's paradise.
Another possibility is that non local voters decided it was time for them to enter politics in Manipur and led a more than willing Rajesh Kapoor to the sacrificial altar. A third possibility is that Rajesh Kapoor was just plain tired of living.
Whatever the reasons a clearly worried Kapoor sought to withdraw his papers but by then the last date of withdrawal of nomination papers had passed. With alacrity he tried to contact FREINDS but it was to no avail.
Then in a public announcement he asked voters in Ward No 25 not to vote for him, and declared "This will be my first and last mistake". He has also appealed that the closure of his shop be reconsidered because it was the only means of livelihood for his family and for those who worked there.
No one knows what will be the next development in the quixotic adventures of this busy body.
To share some thoughts on the actions of Rajesh Kapoor. First what he has done here could never have been done by a Manipuri outside the northeast.
A Manipuri standing in the civic polls in another state in India? Perish the thought. He would have been scalped and skinned to say the least.
Perhaps the fact that Thangal bazar is an area of the city which enjoys round the clock security protection could have lulled Kapoor into believing he would not come in harm's way.
Non locals who have been residing here should have warned him not to play with fire. Either he was foolhardy and did not listen to sane advice or was weird enough to ward off well meaning friends. Anyway he has woken up everybody with his antics.
On the other hand, Rajesh Kapoor's efforts to contest in the IMC polls, has inadvertently brought a whiff of humour in this trouble stricken land.
With the election date fast approaching all candidates are in a feverish action to leave no stone unturned to cement their positions, either to recontact the swing votes or to woo away precious votes from the opposition camp(s).
There is no time for regular meals and regular sleep, it is a race against time. The single minded drive is to win.
As for Rajesh Kapoor? He too is working feverishly, making sure not stone has been left unturned to meet all voters and he has no time to sleep or eat.
The only difference between he and the other candidates is that his quest is to make certain nobody votes for him. It is his cherished dream to draw a complete blank.
He could be a perfect character in any book of Cervantes.
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