https://www.amazon.com/Took-Village-Kill-Jayalalitha-Indian/dp/0982490895
From the book: It Took A Village To Kill Jayalalitha
The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi was delivering his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort, New Delhi on August 15, 2016. In his speech, the Prime Minister was listing out the previous year achievements of his government and also presenting his plan for the coming year.
People did enjoy listening to their Prime Minister’s speech and were very enthusiastic about the future plan for development of India. Once the celebration was over, the Prime Minister returned to his residence and started relaxing for a while.
After lunch, the Prime Minister met with Amit Shah, the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The Prime Minister shared his happiness with Amit Shah and expressed his desire to deliver the Independence Day speech every year till his death.
Amit Shah understood the reality and tried to make the Prime Minister to understand it.
Amit Shah said, “Modiji, in democracy, it is natural that we win some times and we lose some other times. It is not practically possible to stay in power forever.”
Narendra Modi laughed out loud and said, “Amit, that may be true for others; but not for Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. We always win, by hook or by crook. I am the Prime Minister of India forever and ever.”
Amit Shah was determined to make Narendra Modi to understand the ground reality. With hesitation and in soft whisper, Amit Shah said, “Modiji, in every election, the power is transitioned from one party to another. Once Atal Bihari Vajpayee was in power; then Manmohan Singh got the power from Vajpayee; and then we got the power from Manmohan Singh. So it is natural that someone will win the power from us too.”
Narendra Modi got irritated with Amit Shah’s comments and expressed his anger, “Amit, listen to me. I am not Vajpayee and I am not Manmohan Singh. I am Narendra Modi and I will never lose the power to anyone.”
Amit Shah was hesitating.
Narendra Modi asked, “Amit, what is the problem? Why are you so worried?”
Amit Shah said, “I am worried about re-election. We may not be re-elected. Our power will come to an end with this one term.”
Narendra Modi asked, “How is that possible? What will I do then? I cannot go back to Gujarat, as Chief Minister and I cannot sit in the Parliament as the Leader of Opposition.”
Amit Shah explained, “Modiji, in India, the Prime Minister is the highest position in the Executive Branch. You have already reached the top-most position. In reality, when you lose power you become the Leader of Opposition and in the next election, you come back to power.”
Narendra Modi said, “No, I cannot accept it. I am the Prime Minister forever and ever.”
Amit Shah responded, “How is that possible? No one has the power forever; perhaps God may be.”
Narendra Modi said, “I know that I am not God. I am not immortal. I know I will die like any other human being. Till my death, I need to be the Prime Minister of India.”
Amit Shah said, “Practically, for instance, Rahul Gandhi is not in power; but he is working on it. One day he may become the Prime Minister of India.”
Narendra Modi said in anger, “I will rather die than live without power. If I don’t win the election, then I will commit suicide and die as the Prime Minister of India.”
Amit Shah begged, “No, please, you don’t mention those words.”
Narendra Modi ordered, “Then, do something.”
Amit Shah said, “Some things will not work anymore. All we need to do is one thing.”
Narendra Modi said, “Then do that one thing. In the last election, you did wonders in Uttar Pradesh. I have full confidence in you. I am sure, you will not let me down.”
Amit Shah said, “Last time, Mulayam Singh and others were not prepared for our challenge. This time, the whole India understands the way we work. Almost all politicians have already learned a lot about us and they are way ahead of us.”
Narendra Modi impatiently asked, “What is the problem, Amit? Do we have any new challenge from our BJP party? Do you worry about Sushma Swaraj or Subramanian Swamy?”
Amit Shah said, “No, not at all. I have full control over the BJP party and the entire Sangh Parivar. I will crush any challenges coming out from our party with iron hands.”
Narendra Modi asked, “Then, is it Sonia or Rahul?”
Amit Shah said, “No. Congress is already dead. There are no challenges from any of the Congress leaders. Even if they challenge us, we are confident that we could effectively face them.”
Narendra Modi asked quietly, “Then, who is the threat? What do you worry about?”
Amit Shah said, “I am worried about Jayalalithaji.”
Narendra Modi laughed and said, “Come on! Don’t be silly. Jayalalitha is my best friend. Jayalalitha will help us and she will never challenge us.”
Amit Shah explained, “In the last election, Jayalalithaji was in the third position. In the next election, Jayalalithaji will be in the first position.”
Narendra Modi said, “Ha! Ha! That is the best joke. Jayalalitha is a leader of a small party. She is not like Advaniji or Soniaji. How could a regional party become a power in the center?”
Amit Shah explained, “Yes. That is what happening. All regional parties are gaining strength and becoming stronger. Both BJP and Congress are losing strength and becoming weaker and weaker.”
Narendra Modi said with concern, “But I have confidence in you. You are building a very strong base for BJP in each and every state.”
Amit Shah said, “Yes, I did try. I do adopt different strategy for each state. It works only a little bit and I couldn’t bring about total transformation in any state. But things are more difficult in Tamil Nadu and none of my strategies work in Tamil Nadu. It will be very difficult to come back to power in the next election. Just like Congress, we will also get 40 plus seats.”
Narendra Modi asked, “If not me, then who else will be the next Prime Minister of India.”
Amit Shah said in confidence, “Jayalalithaji.”
Narendra Modi asked, “Are you certain? Do you think we could form an alliance with Jayalalithaji and give her key positions in the cabinet?”
Amit Shah said, “No, Jayalalithaji is firm on her strategy. Her strategy is, no alliance with Congress and BJP; face the election alone; after the election, form a coalition government with Mamata Didi, Patnaik, Akilesh and others.”
Narendra Modi asked, “So, it is not only Jayalalitha but also others like Mamata Didi.”
Amit Shah said, “No. Jayalalithaji is the only threat. Without Jayalalitha, others cannot form an effective coalition.”
After a long silence, Narendra Modi asked, “So, without Jayalalitha, there will be no threat?”
Amit Shah conirmed, “Yes. That’s right. If Jayalalitha is not in the field, then we will have no problem in winning the next election.”
Narendra Modi ordered, “Then, execute that plan.”
Amit Shah said, “What plan? I have no plan. I have reported about the current challenges only and I have not presented any plan.”
Narendra Modi said, “Amit, challenges are innovative opportunities. Jayalalitha is a challenge; eliminate Jayalalitha; then you generate a lot of opportunities; not only for us, but also for others; politicians in Tamil Nadu would love it.”
Amit Shah didn’t understand it and asked, “Eliminate Jayalalitha means – I don’t understand it.”
Narendra Modi said, “Amit, Gujarat is our model. What do we do when we face challenges in Gujarat?”
Amit Shah said, “We do eliminate them in Gujarat.”
Narendra Modi confirmed, “That is what we need to do at the national level. Come up with a plan; let me go through it; approve it; and then you execute it.”
Amit Shah said, “But Jayalalithaji is your friend.”
Narendra Modi said, “I have no friends. Also, I have no enemies. My enemies need to learn to live in fear or let them leave this world. Moreover, in the last election itself, Jayalalitha did challenge me and asked people, Modi ya, or this Lady ya?”
Amit Shah remembered and said, “Okay. Let me work with my team and come up with a plan for the execution of Amma.”
Narendra Modi gave a name for this operation and said it aloud, “Operation Mother India.”
Amit Shah liked this name and said, “For now, Jayalalithaji is Amma for Tamil Nadu only. After this operation, Jayalalithaji will become Amma for the whole India.”
“Bharat Matha ki, Jai.”
“Bharat Matha ki, Jai.”
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