| Published on 20-08-2008 In General | | Viewed 1036 times | | Written by
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Annoying "Hamara" Bajaj
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When some Indian industrialists met WTO director Pascal Lamy and Commerce minister Kamal Nath at an interaction organised by the CII, there was more tall talk than table talk. When asked to pose questions to the two speakers, industrialist Rahul Bajaj launched into a full-length speech all by himself, and never got around to asking the question. Though he did keep interjecting his narrative with the promise of a question - one that he would pose to Lamy, as "Kamal I can listen to any time." And added, "not that he listens to us." Since Nath did not look too happy with this comment or Bajaj's next charge that he had come back `weakened' and not `stronger' from the WTO talks in Geneva, it may be a while before the garrulous industrialist gets another audience at Udyog Bhavan.
But Bajaj carried on regardless reveling in the limelight. Not only had he grabbed the first seat in front of the panelists but also he was rude to the TV crew that had been invited to cover the event, shoving and shouting at one hapless cameraman who was crouching at his feet trying to connect his mike. Moreover, Lamy never did get to hear his question as the only reason that Bajaj captured the mike was because he wanted to launch into a monologue. When he finally finished, the compere heaved a sigh of relief and insisted that the next interjection be limited to only one line.
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Flying in and out
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The elections in Madhya Pradesh are less than three months away so hectic preparations are on in both Congress and BJP camps. However a closer looks shows the ruling party and the principal opposition party is fashioning its strategy in contrasting styles. Each week, some or the other big-wig BJP leader such as Venkaiah Naidu, Sushma Swaraj, Ananth Kumar or Rajnath Singh visits Bhopal to take stock of poll-preparations. However almost every week, state Congress leadership consisting of MPCC chief Suresh Pachauri, leader of the opposition Jamuna Devi and campaign committee Chairman Ajay Singh fly out of Bhopal. In Delhi, they wait to get an audience with Rahul Gandhi or some high profiled AICC functionary where poll logistics are discussed. Wary Congressmen feel such a strategy and state of preparedness would reflect in poll results too.
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Item girl "Khan" do it?
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Actors Salman and Shahrukh Khan are not on talking terms since the ugly spat between them last month at a party to mark Katrina Kaif's birthday. While the Badshah of Bollywood has kept mum, Salman has gone public saying he and SRK can no longer be friends. Salman recalled how he and Shahrukh had broken ties thrice but now he would not be keen for a rapprochement. The strong words may have disappointed many Khan fans but they have a ray of hope. Item girl Rakhi Sawant has taken upon herself to bring "Karan-Arjun" together and cool their tempers. Peacemaker Rakhi said she would be calling on them individually to impress upon the need to patch up. After all, they are both valuable and inseparable part of industry. "They both are fierce. One is a tiger the other is a Cheetah, and yet another is a Lion. They are all number one in the industry so today or tomorrow they will be friends, because they are the Khan brothers," she said. Now it remains to be seen how Khan brothers would react to this item.
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Advani's Hussaini dilemma
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Painter M.F. Hussain is now desperate to return home. Hussain who has been shuttling between Dubai and London has recently zeroed in on a youngster who has a good line to L.K. Advani. The prime minister in waiting has been requested to intervene. Advani has not made up his mind to use his good offices but a section of his think-tank feels a pro-Hussain stance could help project a liberal face of country's towering leader. But on the flip side, the gesture may not go down very well with hardcore Hindutva brigade.
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Foot in the mouth disease
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The top Congress leadership is rather exercised by recent utterances of a top government functionary.
Each time the official has spoken on Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan and a range of other sensitive subjects, a backlash has followed. The official has turned byte friendly and developed a liking for TV cameras, which has further aggravated the problem. Ministry of External Affairs mandarins too are getting edgy at his repeated non-diplomatic utterances, which is making their task more daunting. The official however enjoys such a clout in Raisina Hills that not many are willing to bell the cat.
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What's on the plate, Lamy?
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Pascal Lamy, the WTO director met both the prime minister and industry heads during his Delhi visit. He told industry heads that since both Delhi and Washington were responsible for the current impasse, "Both the countries should try to understand each other at a political level first, as this is a political issue first then a technical one. Not the other way around. I urge both to look carefully at what's on the table," said Lamy. Quick to retort, Kamal Nath who was also present at the meeting said, "There is a lot on the table. But what is on the table is not on my plate. It should be on everybody's plate..."
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Fishy affair this
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AICC's media department chairman Veerappa Moily's latest meal for media scribes on the beat lacked the usual flavour. The weather was horrible, food was not great and Rahul Gandhi did not show up. So when parliamentary affairs minister Vayalar Ravi hosted a dinner, his close aides promised a better venue and menu. In the menu, there was 'fish moily' that caught everyone's eye. It tasted great and lasted in spite of many seeking repeated serving. In Congress circles, Moily and Ravi do not get along too well. The choice of 'fish moily' has left many wonder if it was Ravi's way to be one up on his detractor?
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Khurana's options
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With Delhi assembly polls inching closer, Madanlal Khurana is getting restless. Khurana, now back in BJP, is said to be a tad disappointed by the manner in which is he being treated in the parent organization. The projection as future chief minister is nowhere in sight. Sources close to Khurana feel if the BJP continues to cold-shoulder him, the former chief minister may join Baba Ramdev's bandwagon but the yoga guru's political outfit is yet to come up. Sensing an opportunity, the Congress under Sheila Dixit is sending some feelers to Khurana on grounds that if the senior leader was not being projected as chief minister, a 'new beginning' in the Congress is on the platter. It is learnt that Khurana is having an open mind on all these options along with his trademark open mouth.
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Babus having a ball in J&K
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The endless bands in Jammu and Kashmir are hurting all sections of society except for babus in the state. The state bureaucracy is almost relishing the present political crisis. Even a bandh call by an obscure outfit is taken seriously and the babus in the state are the first ones to declare the informal holiday. It's turning out to be an era of no-work, all pay.
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Deshmukh's worries
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Former Maharashtra Congress president Prabha Rau continues to don political colours in spite of becoming a governor. The Himachal Pradesh governor has toured almost all districts of the hill state where Mahila Congress felicitated her. In Mumbai too, a function to felicitate her turned political when AICC general secretary in charge Maharashtra, Margaret Alva backed rebel leader Narayan Rane. As Rau smiled in approval, Alva went on underlining the need for a dynamic leadership in Maharashtra during the Lok Sabha polls and avoided naming chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. Later on, Rau, who was an archrival of Deshmukh distanced herself from Alva's remarks saying that she merely attended a function as an apolitical governor. However, Deshmukh should have reasons to worry as Rau has agreed to be felicitated in over 150 more functions in Maharashtra.
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