Not so long ago politics was a khandaani pesha. Grandfather was a politician who perhaps went to jail in the pre independence era. Father inherited the mantle, carried on the good work and discovered a perk called corruption. The grandson was a well honed professional who knew all the right words, who knew all the wrong goons and did nothing substantial except making lofty promises and enjoying the fruits of someone else’s labour.

But seriously how long could this go on? People were getting vexed. Political affiliates were getting stamped on. Political gurus were getting miffed. Bureaucrats too began to lust for their share of the booty. The time was ripe for a new breed to usurp the position (hitherto unchallenged) of the heritage politicians.

So soon jumped into the fray a variety of clowns. Retired Army Soldiers who wore honesty on their sleeves and were still stuck to age old values and rituals. Glib talking Swamijis who charmed and chanted their way into a new haloed constituency. And of late, elevated Yoga Masters who have discovered that having the masses as disciples is worth squat if you cannot convert them into a potent force.

So the soldiers are rallying forces to beat corruption. The Yoga Masters are twisting and turning their bodies to protest the evil that the country has doomed itself to witness. And the Swamis are growing beards in novel protest.

These politicians are now morally bankrupt and financially greedy. Throw them out and let us take their gaddis. We promise you a government that is honest and functions at the height of ethics and efficiency. Thathaasthu.

But guys beware. Are we erring in haste? Do you think these self proclaimed gurus and saviours are really a honest and viable alternative to the known thieves and dacoits?

I remember one of my teachers teaching me that the man who keeps saying that he is honest or humble is more often than not, neither of the two. It’s only a facade that he has put up for the same selfish motive that the politicians have.

Now I don’t know about you. I prefer anyday, to deal with a hardcore politician who wears his corruption on his face along with the avaiators that he procured to the ash smeared swamijis and contorted yoga masters who twist people around for their own benefit.

Better a known Devil than a man pretending to be God and doing the deeds of a Devil. Better a honest crook than an amateur one who stumbled into thievery by chance.

What say you?