Indeed, N. Chandrababu Naidu, had a nightmarish experience. It was so unpalatable that he preferred not to share it with anyone.
The origin of the phrase “every man has his price” is attributed to Robert Walpole, a British Prime Minister in the 18th century. It suggests that official favours are often hard to come by, and sometimes you need to offer just a milkshake, a big tip or big money in exchange. Of course, it is all unethical and looked upon as corruption of different degrees.
Graft in the Indian system is so frustrating that even the elected representatives in high places often find themselves to be victims of the malady. Indeed, even the Telugu Desam Party chief, N. Chandrababu Naidu, had a nightmarish experience, when he was the leader of the opposition. But it was so unpalatable that he preferred not to share it with anyone.
Yes, his people had to cough up bribe of Rs 1.80 lakh on his behalf to get the status of a piece of land he bought on highway side converted from agriculture purposes to housing in his constituency – Kuppam in Chittoor district.
The episode came to light only after Naidu assumed office once again as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and set out on a visit to his constituency.
The troublesome experience, Naidu was put to by a low-level village official during the regime of the YSR party became the talk of the crowd that gathered at the guest house where he met the district officials on his visit to Kuppam.
The District Collector, who was in for a rude shock on being briefed about the blatant bribery episode that involved the deputy surveyor, Saddam Hussain, ordered a probe. On receiving the inquiry report by the end of the day, Saddam was placed under suspension.
Saddam strongly believed that everyone approaching him for favours certainly have a price to pay. He had never let anyone without wresting his pound of flesh for just discharging his official duties. It is a hard reminder that everyone, regardless of their strength and status, can have a tough time. Even the mighty elephant has to take things lying low in such situations. Of course, the elephants, it is believed, never forget such harrowing experiences.
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