Samar felt his temper reach the tipping point.
“I propose Samar Dixit for Party President of Kashmir Development Party.”
The Court finds him permanently unfit for further military service, with no reasonable prospect of restoration to full operational effectiveness.
“It is a good idea,” Adil agreed. Heads began to nod. “ The party needs the right vision for expansion. Who better than Samar to provide that?”
Accordingly, he is to be invalided out of service under applicable regulations, with all consequential pensionary and welfare entitlements processed forthwith.
Not this time.
Samar cleared his throat. And all eyes turned to him.
“Thank you for your confidence in me,” he managed to keep his voice steady. “It is an honour to be the KDP president. But I have to also look out for the constituencies that I have taken care of, from where I won. I have made promises to them and I want to see them through myself. So, I respectfully ask you to reconsider the proposal.” He met Atharva’s eyes.If you do not reconsider this, consider Jammu MLAs gone.
“This is open for debate.” Atharva took his seat. “Let’s talk it out.”
Samar saw the floor open for an opportunity to get back into the government. He threw his everything into debating this, pushing people around him to do so too. Voices rose for him, arguments were made in favour of his being the Health Minister just as fervently as him becoming the KDP President. And just when he felt a small hope of tipping the balance in his favour, Adil piped up — “What if we go half and half?”
“How?” Qureshi frowned, his biggest champion so far.
“Right now, we all agree that KDP does not have another more experienced, more able leader for president than Samar. But he is also justified on his part to work for his constituencies. So why not let Samar take over KDP presidentship from Atharva right away and groom one of the senior leaders to take over at a later date, say in two years? Make the party ready for a new leader. Then Samar can join public office.”
Samar felt the tables turn. And just like that, the tide flowed back into Atharva’s favour.
“All in favour of Samar Dixit as KDP President, raise your hands.”
Hands went up in the air.
“All against.”
A few went up in the air.
“I officially propose Dr. Samar Dixit for KDP President.” Atharva announced.
And the resolution got passed, shifting the ground from under his feet.
Their eyes met. Samar seethed.
His eyes moved, and passed over Amaal. She was staring at him.
34. Amaal opened his passenger door…
Amaal opened his passenger door and slipped in just before he had turned the wheel.
“What are you doing? You could have gotten hurt!” He yelled. She just shut the door and pulled on her seatbelt.
“Drive.”
“Amaal…”
“Drive.”
“My temper is high right now, don’t push me.”
“Drive, I said.”
“Get the fuck out of…”
