Chapter 71 #4
"Trust your brother. He knows how to turn the tide—we just need to push him a little. He will change the narrative," Akansha said, and Aakriti nodded.
"I'll make the arrangements," Mr. Subramanian said.
"We'll talk to Dev," Akansha and Aakriti said together.
Two days later
"Sir... see this..." Mr. Sharma rushed in with a tablet in his hand. Shaurya was stunned to see the video playing on it. Mr. Sharma switched on the TV in Shaurya's cabin, and Shaurya's attention shifted to the larger screen displaying the same footage.
Shaurya rubbed his forehead, unable to comprehend how this had happened.
"Now what, sir?" Mr. Sharma asked. If not handled properly, this could end Shaurya's political career.
"Ask Shweta to cancel the next two meetings, Mr. Sharma. Thank you," Shaurya said, dismissing him. Mr. Sharma didn't understand much but decided to give him space.
After he left, Shaurya locked the door and called Dev.
"How the hell did this happen?" Shaurya asked, his tone dangerously calm.
"I'm trying to find out. But even if we do, we won't be able to do much about it. Focus on a solution—something that can put a permanent end to this," Dev replied. After a few minutes of discussion, he hung up.
"Shaurya won't suspect me, or you, or Aakriti—but that only shows how much he trusts us. Imagine how hurt he'll be when he finds out it was us who triggered all this chaos," Dev said to Akansha and Aakriti over a video call.
"We've done the right thing. This will improve the situation, not worsen it—trust me," Akansha said.
"But what if this creates more trouble, like Aakriti feared? In fact, it already has. Raj Gopal Ji's constituency is unstable right now. Shaurya would never forgive himself if this turns violent—even a single life lost would break him," Dev said.
Akansha fell into deep thought. Their plan had only been to make an opposition leader bring up the disagreements between the late Rajgopal Ji and Virendra Shekhawat a few days before Rajgopal Ji's death.
But Dev's party leader had gone further—suggesting that Virendra Shekhawat might have orchestrated Rajgopal Ji's death as he became a threat, and then positioned his son, Shaurya, for the by-elections.
This claim had triggered unrest in Rajgopal Ji's constituency.
"Stop worrying and start planning, Dev. Control your media and your leaders. Aakriti, help the SMOs with damage control," Akansha said, and ended the call.
She immediately asked Mr. Subramanian to prepone the press meet scheduled for two days later, but he advised against it.
If they advanced it, it might look like an attempt to cover up the truth, and no matter what Shaurya said, it would appear as an admission of guilt.
Akansha knew he was right, but she feared the damage would escalate in those two days.
Mr. Subramanian reassured her that he had already taken steps to limit the spread of the narrative and counter the accusations.
That night, Akansha persuaded Shaurya to reveal at least part of the truth during the press meet. They discussed the structure, tone, and flow of his address.
"You have to tell them the truth, Shaurya.
If you don't, you stand no chance in the upcoming elections.
I know you hate winning through sympathy, but this is necessary.
People are emotional—you can't win them over with logic alone.
Present facts through an emotional lens.
Your oratory skills are your strength—use them wisely. Play your cards well," Akansha said.
"Okay. I'll win this war—no matter what," Shaurya said.
"You will," Akansha replied, kissing his forehead. He cupped her face and pulled her into a passionate kiss.
"Let's sleep, Shaurya. You have a long day tomorrow, preparing for the press meet," she said slowly, ruffling his hair, catching her breath, and he nodded, pecking her lips once more.
The next day, Shaurya called an emergency meeting and briefed all his cabinet ministers and senior leaders about the press meet. He instructed them to remain calm and stick to the original plan. Any questions regarding Raj Gopal Ji would be handled by him.
The entire day was consumed by meetings, while behind the scenes, Shaurya asked Mr. Subramanian and his team to keep evidence ready in case it was needed.
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After a whole day of meetings, Shaurya and his team of ministers, the party leaders, and Party Zonal heads gathered for the press meet.
Fortunately, with the efforts of Mr. Subramanian, Dev, Aakriti, Akansha, and the entire team, along with the opposition party MLA's statements about Raj Gopal Ji's death, the counter-arguments were also being spread.
People started sharing those more, and Shaurya's social media team began amplifying the earlier videos of Shaurya's outreach.
His Gen Z following started resharing and reposting the videos.
The intensity of this issue was reduced to a certain extent, but Shaurya knew the news about Raj Gopal Ji would surely be raised in the press meet.
Still, he decided not to give a common answer to this question, like every other politician who says, "All these are rumors and things done to malign us by the opposition.
" Instead, he chose to give the truth to the people. Truth they deserved—but with a twist.
Several party activists had gathered at the press meet, and Shaurya was greeting them downstage while the senior party leaders and cabinet ministers settled on stage.
The Home Minister gestured to Shaurya, showing him his watch to indicate that they were running late and that Shaurya should join them onstage immediately to help finish the press meet on time.
Shaurya quickly walked to the dais, giving a brief nod to his Home Minister.
Shaurya stepped onto the dais, giving a brief nod to the photographers and the security personnel stationed around. The chatter in the press hall softened as all eyes turned to him. He adjusted the microphone, looked around the room, and smiled.
"Good evening, everyone," he said, his voice calm, warm, and steady.
"First of all, thank you for taking the time out to come here.
I know you all have hectic schedules, and there are countless stories that need your attention, yet you chose to join us today, and I truly appreciate that.
Before we begin, may I ask—did everyone manage to have some evening snacks?
I know it's been a long day, and it's important to take care of ourselves.
If anyone hasn't, please do take a moment.
We'll wait until everyone is settled.", he said
A few reporters smiled, some nodded, and the room chuckled softly. Shaurya's approachable tone made the usual tension of a press meet ease slightly.
"I want today's meet to be more than just a formal interaction," he continued, leaning slightly forward on the podium.
"I want this to be a conversation. Ask questions, raise your concerns.
Let's speak honestly, like human beings first, and as reporters second.
Because ultimately, we are all here for the same reason—to understand people's concerns and communicate openly with them. "
He straightened, resting both hands lightly on the podium, and glanced once more around the room. "Now, let's get started. And if anyone needs a short break at any point, don't hesitate. We're in this together, and I want everyone to be comfortable."
The press murmured appreciatively, some scribbling notes, some whispering among themselves.
Shaurya smiled faintly, a spark of determination behind the calmness in his eyes.
Today, he would speak the truth, connect with the people, and set the tone—not as just a politician, but as someone who truly understood them.
The press meet began, and Shaurya and the other leaders were answering questions calmly, sometimes diplomatically, when one reporter pointed something out.
"Sir, we noticed a brief exchange between you and the Home Minister just now. He seemed to be reminding you about the time... Looks like he's very strict?" the reporter pointed out, and everyone laughed. It was a light joke amidst serious conversations, and everyone enjoyed it.
"Oh, this Home Minister is still reasonable.
.. But MY Home Minister is far stricter," Shaurya said, and everyone chuckled.
"My wife made it very clear that I'm supposed to get at least four hours of sleep every day.
.. So I request all my media friends to help me finish this press conference on time," he added, but soon realized what he had blurted out.
His wife absolutely hated being mentioned in public.
Shaurya rubbed his neck and adjusted the top button on his crisp cotton formal shirt, giving away his nervousness.
"I probably shouldn't have said that..." he began. "My wife absolutely hates being mentioned in public... So I request all of you — please don't broadcast the last 30 seconds I just blurted out."
Everyone laughed, and he was irritated. This wasn't a comment he made to make them laugh; he was serious, but it seemed no one was taking him seriously.
"I'll be in serious trouble otherwise," Shaurya added, and they smiled even more but nodded nonetheless.
Well, the videographers quickly sent the cut-short video to their editing teams, and even before the press conference was completed, the meme fest began, and Akansha's eyes popped out looking at the short video the media channels released.
"Hawww! Look at his audacity. He called you a monster, Akansha," Dev's message popped up in their group. Akansha rolled her eyes; now this cartoon friend of her husband's would tease her a lot.
"Shut up, Dev!" Akansha replied.
"What happened?" Rachna and Rajnath sent at the same time.