The changed word after the election

Here are some thoughts on how these new words are affecting our day-to-day life.

Amar Singh

Can be an adjective or a verb. It means unwanted guest/gate-crasher. Example: ‘‘Darling you told me only 20 people would be present but 20 more Amar Singhs have turned up!’’ Another example: ‘‘Boy this is a great party. Could we Amar Singh here?’’

Inner Voice

Rarely found in politicians, can be used as a verb too. For instance, Sonia inner-voiced Sushma. Several politicians say inner voice actually means a political masterstroke. Ever since Sonia’s inner voice has spoken, many Congressmen were seen in Lodhi Garden trying to listen to their inner voices before the Cabinet reshuffle. Most of them were upset that no one listened to their inner voices—plum ministries went to coalition partners! If Vajpayee had listened to and acted on his inner voice, there would have been no early elections and we wouldn’t be hearing Sonia’s inner voice.

Absolutely right

A TV term, which means we are clueless. Example TV anchor talking to the reporter on the field who is summing up the situation: ‘‘There have been meetings at Laloo’s residence, Left parties have rushed to 10 Janpath’’, ‘‘again senior Congress leaders are meeting at 10 Janpath’’, ‘‘what does this all mean?’’ Reporter on the field: ‘‘This means there are a lot of meetings, parleys, discussions.’’ Vishnu Anchor: ‘‘Absolutely right Barkha.’’ Reporter: ‘‘Vishnu.’’ Anchor: ‘‘Barkha.’’ Anchor: I think we have an audio problem.

This actually means neither the field reporter nor the anchor has a clue about what is going to happen next because his only real source is the sentry guarding the closed gate behind him.

Fool

Can be a noun or an adjective. It means pollster. E.g. Vinod Mehta in a TV debate: only a fool or a pollster can predict what will happen after five years…

Political equidistance

Nowhere-to-go. Mulayam Singh: ‘‘We will be equidistant.’’

CMP

Meaning not very clear. It is not a wing of the CPM headed by Manmohan Singh.

Some Politically Profound statements

‘‘The fact that I went to Sonia’s dinner uninvited shows my commitment to the secular alliance,’’ quipped Amar Singh. (Now this is genuine sacrifice in the Hindu tradition.)

‘‘Don’t call me ‘Sir’, I get irritated,’’ Rahul Gandhi’s soul-stirring speech outside Parliament House.

And some Politically Truthful statements

‘‘I never wanted the Home Ministry,’’ Laloo Yadav (What he wants us to believe: That Kapil Sibal did not discuss the difficulty in accommodating chargesheeted ministers, that he was not rewarded with Railways after he threatened not to join the Cabinet and that friends like Taslimuddin would add lustre to the Government.)

‘‘There will never be two centres of power,’’ Manmohan Singh. And that is the ultimate truth; there can only be one—10 Janpath.