Make that a Capital 145;P146;

Ever since I moved to the Capital City from the Commercial Capital almost 18 years ago, I have never ceased to be bemused by the 8216;P for...

Ever since I moved to the Capital City from the Commercial Capital almost 18 years ago, I have never ceased to be bemused by the 8216;P for Power8217; blocs that drive Delhi. Those comprising them are the great movers and shakers8212;people imbued with impunity, through whose good offices you can get anything done or, for that matter, get anything undone.

The first P in the hierarchy is for 8216;Politicians8217;. If they happen to have a ministerial rank, their clout is that much more significant. They are Delhi8217;s answer to Mumbai8217;s film stars. They are the most recognised and wooed. 8216;Getting away with murder8217; is not just a turn of phrase in Delhi, it is taken literally.

Paying 8216;Yes Minister8217; lip service to the top notch is the next P factor, the Prerogative People or bureaucrats. Their primary job is to keep their ministers satisfied or else face a transfer8212;the most dreaded punishment for this tribe. But the good news is while the first lot is transient, this one is around for a good 35-plus years. They are the real pundits of the city8212; free passes, lunches, junkets, shopping, et al8212;for them it is all just a phone call away. Given their tremendous clout, they can make a big difference8212;for better or for worse.

The third lot, which keeps the first two smiling, is the Paisa Person or the business lobby. What the former does with sarkari authority, this group does with money, often buying immunity for the most nefarious acts. When crossed, this bunch will not hesitate to ensure that the few conscientious officials around are kept out of their way!

Next comes the Press, which today with its hidden cameras and sting operations has taken 8220;investigation8221; and 8220;activism8221; to unprecedented heights also to abysmal depths. Those who comprise this bloc are a feared lot8212;they can, in fact, keep the first three in the hierarchy sweating.

Finally, there is the Private Sector. Apart from hotshot CEOs, most of the members of this bloc do not have the clout, the power, the paise or the pen to get their way. These are the people who wear out the corridors of government offices in order to get a file passed. These are the people who have to please sarkari officers with offerings in the guise of Diwali or wedding gifts, or by picking up the tab for an exotic holiday.

A few days ago, we were watching a rerun of the much awarded comedy, Office Office, a riotous satire on the non functioning of government offices. A private sector professional sitting with me remarked, 8220;Somehow I don8217;t find this funny at all. Throughout my life I have been up against such situations. It is tragic, what we are subjected to in this country!8221;