Saali Defection

Bijoy Gupta

Bijoy Gupta has engineered a major coup in the Club. Taking advantage of Shekhawat’s absence since Tuesday, he has managed to win over his saalis in what is being seen as the first step to wrest control as president of Big Laaf. Tomorrow, when Shekhawat would be back from Mahabaleshwar, Gupta will have a ‘show of strength’ in the rail gaadi round.
“You must all follow my engine,” he instructed Shekhawat’s saalis who now swear allegiance to him. “None of you shall follow Shekhawat’s engine. This applies to everyone else too. Let Shekhawat run his engine by himself, all alone.”
That Gupta has been harboring ambitions to oust Shekhawat from the presidentship of the Club is well known – just that he is not able to pay the Rs100,000 he had promised to seize the post.

Garden tea party, courtesy Mallika Kagzi... as usual

Quite clearly he had been biding his time quietly and then moved swiftly when he saw his rival leaving for the Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani trip.
The opportunity presented itself this morning when Razia Khan complained to Mumtaz Jahan for not giving a treat on purchasing a penthouse in Lokhandwala (ref post of May 15). “Of course, I did, I gave luddoos to everybody,” Mumtaz asserted. “Maybe you didn't come that day. But didn’t Shekhawat tell you?”
“Oh, forget about Shekhawat,” Razia said dismissively.

Arun Patil

“And then he claims to be jija-ji!”
This was the moment Gupta was waiting for. Instantly he offered himself as a better jija (brother-in-law) provided of course, the ladies agree to jump onto his bandwagon. Effectively, he was asking them to defect and oddly enough, Mumtaz readily agreed. Before long, Razia decided to follow her. Gupta looked set now, as though he had pulled off a major victory in life.
Now, if Shekhawat has to reclaim his position, the only option left for him is to stand outside the gate tomorrow morning and prevent Gupta from entering the Garden. Watch this space.
Postscript: Arun Patil was discharged from hospital (ref post of May 13) last evening. He is back home at Room 73, Madhav ‘B’ Wing, Devi Kumari SRA Housing Society (opp Oshiwara Bus Depot), Link Road, Goregaon, Mumbai 400104. Please call him on his cell number 98190 06173 before dropping in.
Bihari Milwani from Los Angeles:
Politics in BIG LAAF family? Or is this backdoor entry?
Lt Col Angad Singh (retd):
I wish Arun Patil-ji a healthy and fruitful life. Hope he controls his sweet tooth. Will be happy to see him soon in the Garden. Good luck.