Pathankot, October 13
Even as the curtains came down on the Dashera festivities, Pathankot residents will remember the event celebrated to commemorate Lord Rama’s victory over the ten-headed demon king Raavan for the subtle manner in which two top politicians of the region mesmerised the audiences by playing the roles of Lord Rama and Raavan.

For the last ten days, two-time Cabinet Minister Master Mohan Lal and former Pathankot Congress MLA Ashok Sharma consigned politics to the backburner and, instead, put on the grease paint to don the roles of two central characters of the epic.

Master, as Master Mohan Lal is popularly called, has been playing Raavan since 1966. He remained a Cabinet minister for two terms, 1997 till 2002 and from 2007 till 2012, but his fondness for playing Raavan has not diminished despite his political exigencies.

On the other hand, Master’s bête noire Ashok Sharma, who remained Pathankot Congress legislator from 2002 till 2007, has been playing the role of Ram for the past 42 years.

When asked about his unending desire to step onto the stage year after year, Master said, “The greatest and most powerful revolutions often start very quietly, hidden in the shadows. I am preparing for a political comeback and this is my way of staying in touch with my electorate. I am working quietly to ensure that my seniors in the BJP rehabilitate me in whatever capacity they deem it to be fit.”

For Ashok Sharma playing a role in the Ramlila is a different ball game. “I find solace by playing Ram. I have been into Ramlilas for the last four decades and when I am on stage I feel a sense of serenity. I consider the stage as my temple and when I play Ram I think I am worshipping,” he said.