Just desserts

Our political aspirants are able to count their calories. No such luck for us.

WRITING AN editorial is no lean, sorry, mean business. But, at least, while we furiously key in our day's out-' put, we are free to chomp on oily vadas and sinful double-cheese pizzas. Thank God for such small mercies, after all, we work to eat, isn't it? But such high-calorie power meals are not for everybody: look at our hardworking notes for example. In the heat and dust of Indian elections, trying to keep as fit as a fiddle is an onerous task. So to increase their endurance levels, many of our netas regularly workout in gyms and play sports. And, munch on very little every now and again.

Take for example, Tamil Nadu Chief MinisteF M. Karunanidhi who has a strict regimen: he practises yoga regularly and the grand old man of politics has turned vegetarian. Our ex Health Minister, A. Ramadoss, who laun ched a stinging campaign against drinking and smoking, is a mean hand at badminton. Political lore has it that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi used to only have cucumber sandwiches and nimbu pani when he was on pre-election yatras. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani also are not known for their fondness for calories.

What's secret of their supreme control over their diets? How do most of them manage to keep their urge to binge at bay while' people like us fall prey at every possible chance? One reason, of course, is the need to keep fit and sprightly: they can't afford to be caught with dipping energy levels at an election rally or while meeting people. But the real reason, a secret, we suspect is this: they want the power-dessert, while we stuff ourselves with the plain old dessert.