The War Behind Closed Doors

October 26, 2009 – Late Evening

Location: A Private Estate in South Mumbai

The room was dimly lit, not by accident, but by design.

This wasn't a corporate meeting. It wasn't a political summit.

It was war planning—a war that would not be fought with weapons, but with influence, money, and perception.

Seated around the polished teakwood table were some of the wealthiest and most powerful men in India.

✔ Ramesh Jindal – Steel & Manufacturing✔ Mukesh Taneja – Media & Telecommunications✔ Narayan Hegde – Real Estate & Infrastructure✔ Vinod Bajoria – Pharmaceuticals✔ Prakash Kejriwal – Banking & Finance

Together, they controlled billions.

For decades, they had dictated policies, selected leaders, and ensured their interests were always protected—no matter who was in power.

But this time, they had been locked out.

Jindal exhaled sharply, swirling his whiskey. "I still can't believe it."

Hegde scoffed. "Believe it. We went in expecting the usual arrangement. Some negotiations, some assurances… and instead?"

He clenched his fist. "We were dismissed. Without a second thought."

A bitter silence settled over the table.

This wasn't just about losing access.

This was about losing control.

For the first time in decades, the new governments in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Arunachal Pradesh had refused their money, their influence, and their demands.

That was unacceptable.

Taneja, the media baron, leaned forward, his voice measured. "We underestimated them."

Jindal gritted his teeth. "Then we correct that mistake. We make sure they don't last long."

A smirk played at Kejriwal's lips. "It won't be difficult. This isn't the first time we've dealt with arrogant politicians who think they don't need us."

Bajoria, the pharmaceutical tycoon, adjusted his cufflinks. "So, what's the strategy?"

Taneja exhaled, his fingers tapping against the glass.

"We start by manufacturing doubt."

October 27, 2009 – 11:00 AM

Location: Opposition Party Headquarters, New Delhi

While the corporate elite plotted in Mumbai, another meeting was happening in New Delhi.

The United Progress Front (UPF), the main opposition party, was still in shock.

Their most powerful leaders had gathered in a private conference hall.

✔ Vishwas Kulkarni – Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra✔ Arun Maheshwari – Chief Election Strategist✔ Mahender Lohia – Senior Leader from Haryana✔ Bhaskar Dutta – Arunachal Pradesh Representative

Kulkarni's voice was filled with rage. "This is a goddamn joke. We had everything—experience, vote banks, media control. How did we lose?"

Maheshwari, ever the strategist, didn't react emotionally. "We got blindsided."

Lohia's jaw tightened. "It doesn't matter how we lost. The real question is—how do we take back control?"

Maheshwari leaned back in his chair, his eyes sharp. "Simple. We make it impossible for them to govern."

Bhaskar Dutta frowned. "How?"

A cold smile crept across Maheshwari's face. "We attack from every angle."

✔ Economic Pressure: "Every major business in India supports us. We make sure investments stall, project approvals are delayed, and financial institutions become uncooperative."

✔ Bureaucratic Resistance: "Senior civil servants, police officials, administrators—all of them were appointed by us. We create bottlenecks in governance. Make everything slow. Make everything inefficient."

✔ Media Manipulation: "We don't attack outright. We create whispers. 'The new government is inexperienced.' 'They don't understand governance.' We let the doubt grow."

✔ Political Instability: "We manufacture protests. We stir local grievances. We create division among their supporters."

Kulkarni clenched his fist. "And if that doesn't work?"

Maheshwari smirked. "Then we push for a fresh election. Within a year."

October 28, 2009 – 9:00 AM

Location: Aritra's Villa, Kolkata

Far from Mumbai and Delhi, Aritra sat in his private study, watching the morning news on his screen.

His eyes flicked across the headlines.

✔ "Business Leaders Express Concerns Over New Governments' Policies" (Even though no policies had been announced yet)✔ "Investment Slowdown Predicted in Maharashtra and Haryana"✔ "Political Uncertainty Rising as Opposition Questions Legitimacy of BVM Win"

Aritra smirked.

The war had begun.

Not in the streets.

Not in the newspapers.

But in boardrooms, backrooms, and private gatherings where real power was wielded.

He leaned back in his chair.

He had been expecting this.

His AI assistant, Lumen, flickered to life on the screen.

[New Data Analysis: Coordinated Opposition Strategy Detected.]

Aritra's fingers tapped against the desk. "Show me the sources."

Multiple data points appeared—news trends, leaked memos, financial movements.

The patterns were clear.

✔ Media houses were shifting narratives simultaneously.✔ Key bureaucrats were delaying approvals.✔ Large corporate funds had stopped transferring investments.

It was a textbook playbook for destabilization.

Aritra's smirk deepened. "They think this will be enough?"

They were trying to cripple BVM's government before it could even start working.

But they had made one fatal mistake.

They still didn't know who they were really fighting against.

Aritra stood up, stretching slightly. "Lumen, prepare contingency responses."

The AI responded immediately. [Acknowledged.]

Aritra's eyes gleamed.

Let them come.

To Be Continued…