Candidate capers

A captivating novel unmasks the unsavoury and intrigue-filled side ofpresidential politics

,,, BY I / · ,1 CHITRA , · SUDARSHAN

American Presidential campaigns have been the subject of several novels, movies and TV shows over the years There i s something alluring abom t he power and glory that the office commands - in that, it is lik e no other Vinay Kolhatkar has weigh ed in to the genre with his debut novel, The Frt1nk.e11stei11 Ca11didate, (self published in the US), which is a kind o f fictional Presidential campaign crail set in 2020

O livia Allen is a b rilliant senacor - a nd a basically d ecent h uman being - who h as been invited to jo in as a Vice Presidential candidate by a Congressman running for President. She is one o f the major candidates along with the incumbent Vice President, and the billionaire Frank Kenneth Ste in a.k a " The Frankenstein Candidate", who i s ru nning as a self- funded independem. The reader realises quite early on char things are not as hunk y dory as they seem:

Allen su ffers from the 'Imposter Syndrome', a psych ological feeling that her success has been more on account of good fortune than any inherent skill or hard work; and her husband fancies another wo man. Noc very far into the campaign, Olivia realizes that things are n ot w h at she though t they would be. O n discovering some horri fying truths about some of her fellow travellers, she mal{eS some earth- sh aking deci sions that affect every major p laye r in d1e race.

By the end of the book, we are privy co an assassination, e n ough scandals, as a result of which a candidate str uggles co clear his name in court, w h ile a n o d1er is fo rc ed to wid1draw from the race.

For so meo ne who lives in l S\'q, Australia, Kolhatkar captures d1e ambience and aura of a US pres id ential campaign rather well: the candidates and the politics that drive them; the minders and d1e media; th eir primaries, the numerous states, their cities, the intra-American differences; even particular football reams - are described wi th atten tion to det.'lil and sound quite authentic. He teases om the lives of the main protagonists in ways that are quite engaging; so is his highl y well- informed and fine- tun ed descr.iption of the financial wo rld and its she n anigans. T he reader is driven. to read on co find out how they all unrave l. Kolhatkar has a Master's degree in finance in addition to e.xperience in the inner workin gs of Wall Screet, a nd he is able ro draw on that expe rience and his 'i n siders knowledge' to hi s advantage.

Kolhatkar has sai d e lsewhere mat he was quite tminterested in politics - indeed was quite d is illusioned at the way campaigns are run - that he decided to do so med1ing ab out it: write a n ovel mat would throw light on d1e whole process and show how it was blighted and tainted by money and machine politics - something that would be an eye opene r. The reader must judge for them selves if h e succeeds in doi n g diac! In th e mea nwhile, they will not be disappoimed b y chis n ovel and the rolle rcoaster ride that is d1e America n Presidential campai g n trail.

The Fm11kenstein Candidate: Tht Book that Could A lter the Co11rst of the Next Presidential Electio11 is available for sale o nline ac Amazon.com and other channels

Kolhatkar has a Master's degree in finance in addition to experience in the inner workings of Wall Street, and he is able to draw on that experience and his ' insiders knowledge' to his advantage.

Be Your Own Boss Low Capital Entry

United Petroleum is one of Australia's largest Independent Petroleum companies with over 260 Service Stations and Convenience Stores Australia wide. Currently seeking expressions of interest. This is an opportunity to operate and manage a retail fuel and convenience store. Un ited currently has opportunities Australia wide.

Join this rapidly growing retail organisation and become a member of a dynamic and professional Retail team r Affordable investment in stock req u ired r Better Lifestyle r Merchandising and Promotional Support r Proven Retail formats r Experienced Retail Support Team r Training Support r National Retailer

The successful operator will have a passion for retailing and delivering excellence in customer service. Franchises also available.