TV Reporter: ‘‘You see the BJP has decided to do its Chintan Baithak in its own unique way. BJP leaders told me off camera that they look at the defeat as a time for introspection. They feel that they are at the present moment in the same state when the Pandavas took some rest in the middle of the 18-day war in Mahabharat. They have replicated a set, where music from the serial Mahabharat is being played. Vajpayee has been cast in the role of Krishna and Advani in the role of Arjun.’’ Anchor: ‘‘Wasn’t he more in tune with Ram?’’ Reporter: ‘‘That’s a big change. And this could be a story break. Advani may be Arjun in the next elections. Now he is expected to come in Arjun’s carriage, a move many BJP supporters believe could achieve that elusive 3 per cent vote change in favour of the BJP.’’ Anchor: ‘‘What are the other issues?’’ Reporter: ‘‘I have with me the BJP’s Sushma Swaraj. Obviously your anti-Sonia campaign has gone for a bit of a six. What next?’’ Sushma: ‘‘I still believe that I should still be allowed to shave my head because Sonia has been made chairperson of the UPA. But my campaign is not getting the requisite support. Significantly, the only one supporting me is Uma Bharti, who has shaved her head in the past.’’ Anchor: ‘‘(Cutting in) That was part of our live and exclusive coverage. We have managed to get further exclusive and live coverage of the event through our hidden cameras.’’ Shots of Vajpayee with a halo on his head, visuals of Advani dressed like Arjun, there is the legendary Bheem who looks like Venkaiah Naidu. Pramod Mahajan however is seen sporting jeans while Arun Jaitley is wearing an Italian suit bought from South Extension. Vajpayee: ‘‘This is a just war. Continue to fight without looking at the fruits of our labour. Having said that, why in the name of Ram or Krishna did you suggest early elections, Pramod? How do you think the country feels when I am in Krishna Menon Marg?’’ Mahajan: ‘‘Bapji, if I am guilty, shoot me. But I genuinely feel that India Shining and Feel-good should have been better publicised, with bigger budgets. We could have had an Olympic torch of Feel-good, provided more live shows, music festivals, but all that was stopped.’’ Venkaiah: ‘‘But Mahajanji, both PM and Mr Advani said there was no Feel-good. I feel my slogan of Vajpayee versus question mark could have been taken more seriously. We could have said Vajpayee versus question mark comma question mark comma question mark is equal to exclamation mark comma exclamation mark comma exclamation mark.’’ Jaitley: ‘‘We needed to highlight more of my fights with Kapil Sibal on TV. I think there was a big corporate house behind the blackout of TV studio discussions where I appeared. I think the party should probe this. Secondly, the Bofors issue could have been highlighted earlier, not at the last minute. Thirdly.’’ Advani: ‘‘I travelled 8,000 km and I think I know the pulse of the people. How do you expect people to relate to an issue like Ram? As you know, Ramayan is hundreds of centuries old. More contemporary is Mahabharat. In the next election, I would go as Arjun.’’ Amidst a thunderous applause, the anchor cuts in: ‘‘That was an inside account of the Chintan Bhaitak, exclusive only for this channel. More on that after a short break.’’
