There were several Betel leaf stalwarts who posed a bold challenge to the new strongman at both recent polls. Among them were a Chief Ministerial one and a local politico presiding over the affairs of a town lying on the city fringe. Of the two, the local one had been the harsher detractor. Both are die-hard loyalists of the deposed strongman.
Quite recently the duo called on the new strongman, of course, at the latter’s invitation. The new strongman who seemed to have forgotten the differences of the recent past had a friendly chat with the duo and finally sought their opinion on how to win the upcoming local polls.
While expressing their opinion on the winning formula they had said: “It is important that we invite all our estranged stalwarts back to the fold and withdraw all legal action taken against them. And the support of the former boss is the most important factor.”
The new strongman, according to informed sources, gave them an attentive hearing, but studiously avoided making a comment.
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