A rebel MLA’S day: Bonhomie, missing home meals
Swapnil Rawal and Dhaval Kulkarni
MUMBAI: A week is a long time in politics. For Maharashtra’s rebel MLAS it’s been a time that is simultaneously rushed and relaxing. While the political rollercoaster continues, in the main steered by their leader Eknath Shinde, the days away from family, constituents and Mumbai’s frenetic pace, stretch pointlessly.
Several MLAS holed up in a Guwahati hotel described their time in this political limbo as they await a denouement: Breakfast followed by a walk within the hotel perimeter and lots of small talk with fellow MLAS. Some of them, homesick and missing home food, lamented the quality of food at the buffet and have requested the chef to allow them to try their hand at cooking simple Maharashtrian food instead.
A few have also reported sick. But on the whole, the mood was upbeat, said some of the MLAS. “There is lots of time to rest and to banter. Local SIM cards have been given to everyone to contact their families back home and two MLAS room together so that no one gets lonely.”
But food, or rather the lack of comfort food is their biggest bugbear in Guwahati. A legislator from north Maharashtra who has digestive troubles said instead of the rich fare at the 5-star hotel, he longed for simple food. “Before I came here, I had undergone an endoscopy and am on medication. I am restricted to a simple diet,” he cribbed.
On Tuesday there were reports of vociferous differences cropping up in the rebel camp with one legislator allegedly slapping another MLA from western Maharashtra. However, the Shinde camp moved fast to deny these reports. Close aides of senior rebel leaders said that the legislators have been asked not to talk to pesky media and to keep their phones switched off. “We are here on our own but there is a fear of how the things will pan out. Besides, we are also worried about facing voters when all this ends. As the days go by people are likely to grow anxious,” said a legislator.