26 June, 2007

Wretched

I love our politicians. Such things they say. Here’s Bal Thackeray, announcing his support for Pratibha Patil:

It is Maharashtra’s fortune that a Marathi woman is for the first time becoming the President. Those opposing it should be termed as wretched.

Quite. Ms Patil, by the way, supported Indira Gandhi after the Emergency. A bank she set up had its license revoked by the RBI in 2003 for “alleged financial irregularities”, for reasons the Indian Express documents here—among them are waivers of loans to her relatives.

But oh, we mustn’t bring that up, she’s Marathi and all of Maharshtra must be proud of her. Otherwise we’re wretched.

Also read: “The Politics of Division.”