Before the Big Bang Chapter Twenty Nine

The election for vice-president was held on 5th of this month with the process continuing up to 8 pm after which the boxes were sealed in the manner election officials deemed fit .The tired officials had nothing to do after this except to deposit the boxes in the Principal’s office at a designated spot under lock and key .The key had to be handed over to the Principal. The counting of votes started on 6th towards evening.
Finding of more ballot papers, all valid, than total voters of the college was an unprecedented event by any reckoning. The act was outright condemnable, indefensible and when all indications pointed to the Principal’s complicity in it the blame was laid at the SF’s door as if the office was run by it and not by the Principal. But this was what politics was all about.
The incident bamboozled ,outraged , disappointed SF supporters in no small measure .They felt frustrated because whatever they did could be undone by the authorities in this manner .Out of this frustration was brewing a sense of fight with them to a finish .
The CPI took it in the spirit of a Congress challenge in the form of Principal and Com Harinarayan Mishra and others agreed to take the issue outside the college. A programme was taken to hold a convention of prominent citizens, academicians and students immediately to focus the scandal which had shaken faith in the highest authority of the college. Com Mishra, after several attempts, had been able to snatch an interview with the District Magistrate who did not believe his version. Not that Mishra da bothered about him . The law and order situation would make him change his view.
The other scene was a slowly gathering cloud of thunder. If not all , some super rich men—in local parlance ,capitalists—united behind the Principal and the Congress . With so much in the fire of night commerce students the bulk of whom came from the railway workshop, the scandal reached its shores also.
Never before in the history of the college was witnessed a war of leaflets, posters on a scale as stupendous as this .But in 48 hours’ time CP seemed to be losing this battle of nerves as their number visibly dwindled while the SF’ increased if the size of Principal’s gherao was taken into consideration . No classes were held during this period.
And what was the list of demands this time?
1) An enquiry committee to probe how ballot papers came out of Principal’s custody. Guilty to be punished.
2) Re-election of V-P
3) Counting of votes immediately after election
4) No victimization of anybody on any ground
5) Democratization of students’ union constitution

The Principal called Ratnakar and others spearheading the students’ agitation for a meeting on the third day after the botched counting of votes to find a solution to the continuing problem. Obviously some behind-the-scene work was done which resulted in his come-down. Though the meeting was held in the first hours of the college, his gherao was not weakened.
Except for who would constitute members of the enquiry committee, Principal agreed to all the demands . V-P election would be held like class representative election .The girl students would be able to enjoy their franchise in their own classes, a right largely denied in 3pm-8pm system. Ratnakar said at the end of the meeting ,” So, do we understand , Sir, that you have accepted all our demands ?”
“Yes, I’ve accepted all the demands. In fact , I’m soon going to issue a notification for fresh election of vice-president under changed rules which would be incorporated in the S.U. constitution later .” Principal replied, his voice reflecting a change in his attitude.
“As soon as we get a signed copy of your acceptance , we shall sit to call off the movement .” Naha stood up in a gesture to finish the meeting. Arun Chatterjee perhaps wanted to say something but he thought the better of it for now .
As soon as the notification was glued on the notice board, Ratnakar busied himself putting election machinery in place. It was one thing to agitate for demands or even collect students on a wave of sentiment ; it was another to ensure their attendance on the day of election. Their complacency might prove hazardous.
With the college returning to normal, the picture of students’ was becoming clearer. Naha said to Ratnakar:”Though we apparently won the ruined election, CP was not defeated.”
“If we don’t work harder things may not fall our way in this prestige fight.”Ratnakar was speaking thoughtfully. “The Party must use all its resources .It must tap its workshop influence, however little it might have.”
“That they will .But will it be sufficient to make us the winner is the question.” Naha expressed his doubt .
The re-election for V-P was held class-wise for the first time reminding everybody that this was the occasion for the girls to smile. It was peaceful, orderly and swift setting a trend . There was no surprise when Ratnakar was elected V-P at the end of the second counting which was demanded by CP but the margin of 27 only rankled many SF supporters . Ratnakar was the only person to have won the same election twice. The significance of this victory could not be dismissed just as the real strength of C P now could not be ignored.
Sulekha Pandit ,the tall thin second year girl ,with a tooth jutting out adding a beauty ti her smile ,said :”But I’m not pleased with victory merely by 27 votes.”
“Who is? “ Malini was quick on the take. “We expected better after facts established the immorality of theft of ballot papers against Principal and CP. “
“The myth of morality stands exposed. There’s nothing like this in election.”Sulekha said ruefully.
For Ratnakar it was a lesson. But by the time the next V-P election came he wouldn’t be around here as he’d be appearing then at the final BA Exam, with his date with the college over for ever.
While they sat near the pool analyzing the election in a relaxed manner , groups of tittering girls passed by them making a little more noise than usual . What was remarkable was the addition of soft laughter , a release of a pent-up feeling , to their movement .
“Well ,Malini, now tell me. Are these girls joyous about the SF’s V-P victory by 27 votes?” Ratnakar asked. She started thinking about the reply.
Ratnakar said further:”If all of them voted the SF , the margin should have exceeded 27. The hilarity in them is all-pervasive .How do you explain this jocundity?”
“All of them might not have voted SF. But rest assured, they’re damned well pleased to get the opportunity to vote in comfort this time in their own classes with all the assurance.” Malini replied.”But wait ,Swapna is coming in that group . We shall stop her and find out what she has to say about it.”
Even before Swapna got the signal to stop she shouted as soon as she came within hearing distance:” We’re going to celebrate our victory.”
“But…” Malini intercepted her.
“Not Ratnakar da’s victory, I said ‘our victory’.” Swapna clarified.
“Invite them to Kamala Cabin and they’ll understand.” One from her group who was jiggling all the while said.
“We’re going to commemorate the newly won freedom to vote for V-P election. “said Swapna ,” This was a French Revolution for us .” The spirit was infectious. Ratnakar Malini ,Pandit stood up because they couldn’t resist the charm.
When an event of momentous significance was happening and history was being created in college what was Chameli Chatterjee doing ? Wasn’t it a wonderful thought for him ? When he was suspended and the college was in the embrace of a movement she was not to be seen which was stranger still . Can indifference go to this level ? One snatch of news though came his way, much later, that she did participate in a group led by Durgapada Ghosh collecting support for him. This did not make any sense then.
It gave some burn to his heart . But, frankly, what did he do himself to earn sympathy in adversity from her ? He was too busy, too absorbed in his work that he never found it convenient to attempt to follow ,search or hunt her as others did . He must be in the hold of love before he could think of running after her. Though the idea of love was yet to form in his heart , his heart ached for her .
He felt he was sinking and darkness seemed to cover all his being .
“Ratnakar da , what’d you like to have ?” It was a blurred picture of Swapna Jana for a moment that came to his view.
“Hot pakoda and coffee if you please .” Though they came here 20 minutes ago ,it seemed an eternity .