There was President’s rule in Karnataka. The State Government fell after the talks between the coalition partners failed. The cry for a youth brigade to form a government was high and there I was, standing tall, a 20 year old engineering student, with supporters all around. I had a network of people, young minds with an attitude which could compete with that of Martin Luther King. Apart from districts of Bellary,Shimoga and Mangalore, my party candidates were firm favorites to win. There were murder attempts on me and many of my strong candidates. I received phone calls from many big leaders who wanted to talk politics with me. I stayed firm. Our party meeting was successful. I was unanimously selected as the party’s Chief Ministerial Candidate. We started of our campaign on a big note, spent very little money on publicity; each and every candidate was young, age of less than 30 years. And I was 20 years old, still studying an undergraduate course in Engineering and I was a CM candidate.
The Day of Elections came, and the people started casting votes. There we were, with no money to launder, no alcohol to be distributed and for the first time in the history of politics in Karnataka, a fair election took place and the results were clear. We won 130 seats in the legislature, which meant our party would form a government, an Independent one with no support of any other parties. I quit Engineering to be the youngest CM of Karnataka.
The day I had to go to the Raj Bhavan to claim the Government, there were so many people in front of my house. I had no car of my own. My Dad was gracious enough to lend his car to me. I sat in the back seat for a change with a lot of pride. We started our journey, a journey that would be the most memorable for the rest of my life. By the time I reached the BGS flyover near Gopalan Mall, I heard a gunshot. The rear windshield of the car broke into pieces. Impulsively, I tried to cover myself up. The driver was bleeding badly. His shirt was full of blood. There was chaos everywhere. A second shot went straight through my right thigh. I shouted for help. I didn’t want to die on the streets, not even in the wildest of my dreams. Suddenly I saw police cover me up. I was admitted to the Mallya Hospital. The day, of forming a government changed. The state was completely controlled by Bureaucracy. I asked the doctors when I’ll be discharged. The doctor told me that I had to stay for another 2 days. There were people all around the hospital. My friends and relatives visited every now and then. A nurse comes in and gives me an injection and I soon fall asleep. When I woke up, I was astonished to see the changes. I was not in the hospital. I was in an office; I could clearly say that it was a place I never visited. I saw a man, a tall man walk across my bed. He went out and said “Godfather, he is awake”. I was taken to an adjoining room. There were 3 people in the room. I asked “Who are you guys?” He replied, “ I am Vito Corleone, people call me the Godfather. This is my son Micheal, and this is my lawyer and adopted son Tom Hagen. We abducted you because we sensed there was threat to your life in the hospital.” I was shocked. I recollected that Bangalore was occupied by Mafia Dons and Don Corleone was the strongest of them all. “Who tried to kill me and why?” I asked, “ Barzinni tried to kill you, he was given this deal by your political opposition, I offer to safeguard you, provided you remain loyal to me, the Godfather. You must acknowledge that I am your friend, and should serve me when the time comes, you understand?”
I was shocked. My main agenda was to clean up this city, make it absolutely safe for innocent people to live without fear of the Corleones, Barzzini and Hyman Roth. But I rationalized that I had no choice but to accept his offer, or I’ll be killed later. He forgot he was speaking to a politician. I can change color every 3 minutes with ease. I planned another route of cleaning up the Mafia. I said,” I accept your offer Don Corleone, but I have conditions. I would like to see Barzzini and Hyman Roth killed. Further I will save you and your company Genco Olive Oil Company, but in any way you should not poke your nose into my administrative activities or political activities. If you do that there will be breach of this contract we have. First month into my Government I want to see both of them killed.” The Don nodded in assurance. He said,” I have arranged for your security, you may leave now.” I kissed his hand, and walked out. And I was in for another shock. I had to sit in a bullet proof Merc S guard, and a convoy of 2 Ford Everests, full of private security guards. Tom Hagen spoke,” This is all yours, this is the security arrangement given by the Don, this car is gifted to you by your Millionaire friend, Praveen, so you’ll have no problems explaining this to the people." I entered the vehicle.
The week that followed was dramatic. I had a series of TV interviews; I went to the Governor to claim the Government. This was followed by an Oath-taking ceremony. I stood there in front of the Vidhana Souda. I started,” I, Akilesh S, swear in the People of Karnataka’s name…..” *Appu…Appu…*I woke up…Gaash it was a dream, it was my Dad, “I’ll keep Rs. 200 on your table, I am going to Maddur” I nodded. I went out to the verandah to read the newspaper. I saw Yeddyurappa, the CM of Karnataka smiling with a group of children, in the front page. I kept the paper back, and went to my room again. I thanked Ford Cuppolo and Mario Puzo for making the Godfather Trilogy, switched on my computer, to watch the third part….
