“Simple – you find my developmental activities here uncomfortable and are using this promise to ensure that I leave Dheemapur.”
Rajasaab couldn’t help his laughter and looked at Sajjan.
“I think I’ll make you my deputy or a leader who would lead my party in future.” his expression from amusement suddenly turned sinister, “Mr. Sajjan, this is my solemn promise to you that we will go through this project together as per our agreed terms – no hidden plans of deceit – only if – I am satisfied with your answers to three questions I have in my mind.”
“Go ahead. Ask what you want.”
“Now that I know of this project, what makes you sure that I won’t double cross you, kill you and then run the project all by myself?”
Sajjan laughed out loudly calling his bluff. “Rajasaab. I know you wouldn’t do that. You know that without me you wouldn’t know where to plant what, where to position the processing plants. Without me you won’t know how to get the best quality yield which your expert has endorsed here. Your profit depends on it. It’s simple – I can’t run this project without you – You can’t run this project without me. The only option for both of us is to work together with complete trust in each other. Once, this project is up and running – I have a couple of more similar projects which we would be working together – if you kill me – you lose all that profit.”
“Sorry for this unwarranted question. I was making sure of your conviction in this project, and not spinning out a yarn to me in order to get some monetary benefit. I have met a couple of such story tellers. The second question – Can you stop the developmental activity at Dheemapur with immediate effect? Three of my men have been murdered even as we discussed the project. Would you have any idea who could be behind these?”
“I really won’t know anything about it. I arrived here with a purpose of meeting you. I can’t even differentiate between the people who work for you and those who work against you. I am leaving Dheemapur in about a week. I want to continue with what I have started. It’s good for the reputation when I visit our project location – which is ‘The Real Project’ we want. Once I leave Dheemapur, you are experienced enough to create rifts and divide these people again.”
Rajasaab thought for a moment and nodded. The project in the North Eastern part of the country was more important. One more week of Sajjan’s work at Dheemapur wouldn’t affect his political status as much. He would be able to create the rift and divide the people in no time after that.
“My third question is business related. Do you have working capital for the base work of this project?”
“No. I may need a bit a help there.”
“I can loan you 10 million as an advance against the profits with 2% interest per month – starting next month… Would that be sufficient?”
“It’s more than enough. I would be able to use that money as a bait to buy over few militant leaders and make it easy for us to start the project at earliest.”
“Good. I’ll arrange the money delivered to you through Rana in couple of days – all in unmarked currency. I’ll ask Rana to contact you when the package is ready for you. How do you plan to travel?”
“I would be boarding the 5pm passenger train from Bhama junction to Sambhalmati junction on the 15th. I’ll then lie low for a couple of days before proceeding to the location of our project. If anyone is following me, they will be convinced that I’m planning my travel to Garhchiroli as per our plan.”
“Fantastic. All the best – to us.” he was now quite a gung-ho about this project. He now shifted to lighter topics about weather and crops as the tea was served again.
“I heard you married a young adivasi girl to save her life.” he suddenly popped out a question.
Sajjan laughed and thought for a moment. He then told Rajasaab the truth of how he had met her and had allowed people to think that she was his wife. “You know – people gossip and their imaginations run wild when they see an unmarried couple staying under one roof. Dheemapur is not a city – it’s more of a traditional town. I’m going to send her back to her tribe before I leave. Don’t want anyone tagging along making it difficult for me to travel and start the project.” They both laughed.
“Good. So – you still are a Saint after all.”
“I’ll take your leave now Rajasaab.” Sajjan got up, his hands folded in action of thanks and gratitude which could be seen by Devadatta and Rana from where they stood. “Remember – not to contact me during this period. I should be able to finish off my base work in about 90 days. I’ll contact you once that’s done. Till then I request you to start moving the so called development project in the parliament so that we get all the conditions ready to start off.”
As soon as Sajjan left in the vehicle, Devadatta and Rana hurried over to Rajasaab. They wanted to know what his reading was about Sajjan.
“Don’t worry.” Rajasaab said, “He is leaving Dheemapur in a week’s time. He will be making a feasibility report of development at Gardchiroli. If he succeeds – it’s beneficial for us. If naxalites kill him – it’s a good riddance.”
“Rajasaab” Rana said in an agitated tone, “One more of my men have been found murdered in a field next to where the other three were found. This is absolutely serious. I have my doubts on this guy – Sajjan.”
Rajasaab slapped him hard again, “Do not jump to conclusions. I have checked him out. He can’t even differentiate between who works for us and who works against us. He has been here for a very short time to know to that. This seems to be the work of our rival political party. They want to take advantage of the new unity amongst the farmers and the locals to topple us over. This is going to be dangerous time for us – especially you and your men. I’ll get this sorted in a month or so. I’ve something more important to be done immediately at the parliament. I cannot afford to get entangled in these petty politics by our rivals. Be sure to disappear for couple of months and ask your men to do so with immediate effect. Don’t try anything foolish.”
He then proceeded to tell them what Sajjan had related omitting the part of North Eastern region project and assured them that in return for helping him with Gadhchiroli – he would help them in raising best quality opium. This meant that he would be (in a way) working for them.
“Be sure that you don’t touch either Amar or Sajjan or their families.” Rajasaab repeated this sentence to be sure that Rana understood.
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