| Published on 13-08-2008 In General |
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Kamal Knows to say no!
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If there is one thing union commerce and industry minister Kamal Nath can do, it is to always have the last word in any situation. When the WTO talks collapsed in Geneva, the American trade representative Susan Schwab turned to him and said, `But you know Kamal I love you.' Quick to reply he shot back, "Clearly not enough otherwise we would have had a deal'. The talks collapsed because Nath stood firm on safeguard measures that they said were vital to protect the livelihoods of millions of farmers against a likely spike in food imports from rich nations. In turn the US was adamant on the question of reducing subsidies to their farmers. As Nath told Peter Mandelson, the EU trade commissioner during a meal at a European restaurant, ' I am sick of eating your subsidized food! '
Throughout the negotiations, the table talk varied from the tough to the trivial. As a benchmark of the US commitment, during an earlier round of the trade talks Nath had insisted that the Americans should reduce the subsidies by at least one dollar. That was what he called his one-dollar deal. But even he was taken aback when this time round Schwab pulled out an envelope and handed it to him saying, "I've got you your one dollar." The envelope, bearing a dollar was signed by the US Secretary of the Treasury Hank Paulson with a personal note for his friend Kamal!
The negotiations coming as they did during the week when Manmohan Singh won the trust vote in Delhi there was speculation that Nath might give in to US pressure. The Left was the first to raise this as one of the trade-offs for the deal. So it was with some relief to when Nath stood firm. Lalu Yadav was the first to applaud him in the cabinet meet for not backing down. As one of the American officials present at Geneva later observed, "He said No for three straight days." For Nath, that was clearly a first!
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No visitors for Arjun
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Union human resource development minister Arjun Singh is on sick bay for over a week but for some strange leader no UPA leader or Congress functionary has called on him. Prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh became the first Congress leader to check Arjun's well-being. Party insiders said they avoided visiting Arjun in AIIMS as the family had advised them not to 'disturb' the ailing leader. Arjun supporters and party colleagues seem to have taken it on face value respecting the family's wishes. But in home state Madhya Pradesh, whispers are doing rounds on why the Congress and UPA leaders have been 'avoiding' Dau Saheb as Arjun is addressed out of reverence.
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CBI Mysteries
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A senior Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) official is wondering how he could miss the chance of becoming director of the agency when he had everything to ensure the coveted post. The handling of Bofors case was one shining example. But apparently, he got knocked out due to pressure from a political formation friendly to the establishment. Here his 'hard treatment' of a senior bureaucrat in disproportionate assets case is said to have gone against him. The bureaucrat reportedly has more than functional ties with a political party. So at a moment of reckoning, the good work got overshadowed by his overzealous temperament. The official now has a lot of time to contemplate at leisure.
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Now Media's Dream Merchant?
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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's media advisor Sanjay Baru has left to take up a teaching assignment at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and the Institute of South Asian Studies in Singapore.
Baru's charge has been handed over to R. Gopalakrishnan, a gentle joint secretary from Madhya Pradesh cadre presently serving in PMO. Even in temporary assignment, Gopalakrishnan has come in focus due to the high profiled assignment that he is handling till Baru's successor is named.
In Bhopal, Gopalakrishnan had served under Digvijay Singh for almost ten years. He was fondly called as "dream merchant" or 'a Sapnon ka saudagar' for ably showcasing Diggy regime's commitment to the social sector.
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Will Somnath lead?
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Somnath Chatterjee may not be keen for a 'second innings' in politics but left's renegades from Kerala and Bengal are asking him to take up their cause. A number of left leaders who were either sacked or had to leave the party, feel Somnath has enough seniority to lead them and "teach" CPM leadership a lesson in the coming Lok Sabha and subsequent assembly polls in Kerala and Bengal. Somnath is dithering but the ginger groups have sought Congress leaders' help.
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Hustled Ministers
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Call it as an act of prompt security set-up and efficiency but two union ministers Pranab Mukherjee and Shivraj Patil found themselves locked out in Shastri Bhawan where the duo had gone to address a joint press conference. While returning, they found that the VVIP gate was closed. The ministers were taken out from a narrow, dirty passage that forms part of the building's under belly. Patil, who has a high sense of hygiene, did not complain. After all, it was a matter of pride to see an efficient security arrangement in place at a government building.
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No reforms, no changes
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Singh is King. A confident prime minister is said to be disinclined towards big-bang reforms. Manmohan Singh reportedly feels the loud noises on reforms are merely for market index. Informed sources said the prime minister is also lukewarm to the idea of a big cabinet reshuffle too. He is keen to run the government like this till February by which time he hopes the n-deal will be signed, sealed and delivered. The prime minister thinks Congress-led UPA can then face the electorate confidently. The big question doing rounds in Raisina Hills is would he have his say?
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Ajit Singh's woes
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The political drama following the trust motion continues unabated. Ajit Singh, a principal character of the UNPA, is getting disturbed once again. Ajit is upset with Maya memsahib. Pre-July 22 arrangement was to induct some Rashtriya Lok Dal MLAs as ministers in Mayawati government. It did not happen. Next was finalization of seat-sharing formula for 15th Lok Sabha polls. Apparently Ajit wants eight seats while the BSP supremo is willing to part with only five. Behind-the-scene lobbying and persuasion from the well-wishers like the Left, Telangana Rashtriya Samiti and Telugu Desam Party have not worked so far.
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Only sweet pills, no deals
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The "MPs-for-cash" slur on a top Congress functionary has virtually no takers. Even the worst critics of the party functionary vouch for his financial integrity. At 24, Akbar Road, a known opponent was heard paying a left-handed compliment of sort when he equated the functionary with a homeopath. "He is not incapable of conducting an operation, he is only good at giving meethi goli," (sweet pills) he said with a tinge of disdain.
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Shinde on way out
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After Ashwani Kumar, another exit from the union council of ministers is on the cards. Power minister Sushil Kumar Shinde is the latest front-runner for Maharashtra Congress Committee chief. Shinde is said to be state chief minister Vilasrao deshmukh's choice. In Maharashtra Congress circles they are known as "do hanson ka joda" (a twosome of swan). However like Priyaranjan Dasmunshi and Saifuddin Soz, Shinde is keen to continue as a minister but he is said to be told that both Munshi and Soz will be joining his league in accordance with one-man, one-post norm. |
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