Sena will survive
THE WEEK India|July 10, 2022
The Shiv Sena was born out of the anger of the Marathi people against the then prevailing polity. As long as the sentiment stays, so will the party
KUMAR KETKAR
Sena will survive

Sooner rather than later, there will be a blockbuster movie, ‘Guwahati Files’. I have learnt from reliable sources that the movie contains sensational shots and conversations between the bosses in the BJP and the brave rebels from the Shiv Sena. There are the usual elements—money bags exchanged and contracts signed for petrol pumps and, of course, luxurious flats in metros. There is even a scene that resembles the one in the iconic mafia film—The Godfather—where the character Don Vito Corleone says coolly and firmly, “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse”. Those who have seen the chilling drama know that the refusal of the offer will have dangerous consequences. Nobody is sure whether the shots and dialogues in the ‘Guwahati Files’are real or morphed—we are all too familiar with such ‘files’ and tend to believe them as we have no means to check their veracity.

‘Guwahati Files’ begins, not in Assam, but in Gujarat, in its diamond city—Surat—and reaches its climax in Guwahati. The ‘endgame’, however, has not yet come. The ‘endgame’ is not just political but also mathematical. Even the mafia dons don’t really know such advanced algebra. And when politicians play number games or mathematicians play political games, there is bound to be a blunder that cannot be understood or explained.

This number game began with 17 so-called rebels going to Surat. Then two of the ‘magnificent 17’ managed to “escape”, reducing the rebel count to 15. But when the 15 were secretly escorted to a private plane by the Gujarat police, suddenly there were 37 rebels! How the number went up from 17 to 37 is a mystery being explained in the ‘Guwahati Files’. That is where the ‘Godfather’ comes in.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE WEEK INDIAView all
A golden girl
THE WEEK India

A golden girl

One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 29, 2024
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
THE WEEK India

The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India

The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 29, 2024
United in the states
THE WEEK India

United in the states

Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds

time-read
5 mins  |
September 29, 2024
COVER DRIVE
THE WEEK India

COVER DRIVE

Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits

time-read
3 mins  |
September 29, 2024
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
THE WEEK India

GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical

Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:

time-read
2 mins  |
September 29, 2024
India is not a controlling big brother
THE WEEK India

India is not a controlling big brother

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 29, 2024
Comrade with no foes
THE WEEK India

Comrade with no foes

Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!

time-read
2 mins  |
September 29, 2024
Pinning down saffron
THE WEEK India

Pinning down saffron

In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana

time-read
4 mins  |
September 29, 2024
MAKE IN MANIPUR
THE WEEK India

MAKE IN MANIPUR

Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict

time-read
5 mins  |
September 29, 2024
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
THE WEEK India

SAHEB LOSES STEAM

Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock

time-read
5 mins  |
September 29, 2024