Gopinath Sahay, secretary to Anand Raj, the leader of the People's Party came rushing into his office, "Sir, you must see this."
He walks to the other end of the room and switches on the television to CNN:
"Shock waves run down the country, as Aryaman Vardhan announces withdrawal of his candidature for the upcoming Presidential elections." – reported Emily Johnson of CNN, "What a sorry end to a dream campaign! Who could have thought that the trump card of the Democratic Party, would be axed this way? The brutal assault launched by the Republicans on the Vice-President's fiancé has forced him out of the campaign. His supporters are distraught and trouble looms large on the Democrats. Let's go live to Washington for more reactions from the people."
"They knew they couldn't win him fairly, therefore they have played dirty" – said one of the Aryaman Vardhan supporters, who had gathered outside the Vice –President's house to show their solidarity.
"What according to you are Democrats' chances in this election, with senator Alwyn Butler?" asked reporter Patrick to the supporters - "We love Vardhan, we want Vardhan" - they shouted in unison.
"People have come out in support of Vardhan, Washington streets are full of Vardhan campaigners who want him to reconsider his decision; this is Patrick Rafter for CNN."
...
"This is good news; we will axe the whole family. Let him come, we will give him the reception of his life." exhilarated Anand Raj, whose hatred towards the family was legendary. Not only had Viraj Singh overruled the proposals of the People's Party on numerous occasions and discredited the state opposition leader's views, but he had the audacity to run the state as though it were his kingdom.
"The people of Adamgarh have forgotten that they are not the subjects of the royal family but a part of the larger framework of democracy. And in democracy, everyone is equal. Everyone has a right to rule." - he said, "They must be taught a lesson for robbing him of the chance to rule." He would demolish the whole state piece by piece, break its very back till it is fit for nothing...nothing at all. And he began by launching a crusade against the brother and sister duo.
"Sahay, arrange a meeting with the Editor of The Times, asap."
"Right away sir"
Once Sahay is out of the room and the door is secured, Anand Raj makes a call: "I want you at Viraj's residence in Adamgarh. Target – Myra. I want every detail of her activities. Trace her calls to Vardhan, I want her filmed extensively."
The meeting with the chief editor Chitranjan Das, was quite fruitful. The instructions were clear:-
-- Assault the family: begin with Myra's credentials as Mrs Raichand: expose her at her scandalous best.
-- Target the brother(Viraj); get the public involved – get votes, opinions on the channel; every rebuttal from their side must start a fresh attack.
-- Corner them, build hype for the ultimate showdown.'
"But sir...not much can be done without the insider footage" Chitranjan Das expressed his concern; "Jai Mahal has been cordoned off; no one can enter it unscathed."
"I will provide you with the footage. Your job is to build a solid ground for it." –said the state opposition leader emphatically.