Rhetoric to die for

The theatrics of our politicians are riveting. Bollywood’s got competition here.

If ever Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav gets fed up of politics, he could set the screen on fire with his histrionics. He will consume poison, he declared, rather than let the Women’s Reservation Bill be passed. Move over Shahrukh Khan, you are in danger of being dethroned. Mr Yadav is not the only one whose hyperbole is a delight to watch. On becoming the target of an unsavoury campaign during the elections, SP politician Jayaprada spoke of how she felt like doing away with herself. Mercifully, she won and so did not have to go down that path of no return.

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Our other southern thespian J Jayalalithaa was readying to raise an army to liberate the Sri Lankan Tamils when she found that Mahinda Rajapaksa had beaten her to it. Well, she’ll live to fight another day. Laying down their lives for the nation is a common refrain among our politicos, though fortunately for them few have been called upon to do so. Fighting for a cause till their last breath is another favourite. Our new BJP deputy in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj had famously vowed to shave her head if Sonia Gandhi became PM. Mrs Gandhi’s gracious refusal of the post meant that Ms Swaraj could keep her luxurious tresses. It might have been interesting to see a shorn Ms Swaraj but alas we were denied that pleasure.