| Published on 24-09-2008 In General |
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Written by
Insider |
Prachanda, not so in English!
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In Delhi's fashionable and political circles, Nepali Prime Minister Prachanda's sartorial taste became a rage of sorts. The revolutionary-turned politician's natty suits drew a lot of attention. The intelligentsia too was positively well disposed but when the Prime Minister spoke at India International Centre, many heads turned. The reaction was a mix of amusement and disappointment as Prachanda struggled to communicate. Some whispers were heard wondering if the head of Himalayan country would have been better off in traditional Nepali outfit than in well-cut suit and broken English.
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BJP's Sulking Truants
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The recently concluded BJP national executive in Bangalore will be remembered more for its notable absentees than those attending it. Sushma Swaraj did not show up citing toothache. But her in-house rivals alleged that the lady was sulking for denial of getting the credit for BJP's Karnataka assembly poll victory. Her absence was mocked as 'dard-e-disco.' Two leading lights of Uttar Pradesh – Kalyan Singh and Vinay Katiyar were missing too. Kalyan-Katiyar duo reportedly stayed away to protest against the leadership's plans for a tie-up with Ajit Singh's RLD in Uttar Pradesh.
BJP's Bollywood brigade—Dharmendra, Hema Malini and Shatrughan too recorded a no-show along with cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu. Party leaders said none of them were missed.
The Gandhi flavour was missing too. Both Maneka and Feroze Varun Gandhi stayed away from Bangalore. Feroze Varun who is now planning to contest as an independent from Pilibhit is miffed over the BJP's failure to project him as GenNext leader.
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Maya's punishing ways
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Mayawati has discovered several ways to keep babus under tight leash. The other day Uttar Pradesh chief minister reached the state secretariat sharply at 10 am. She noticed thin attendance and quickly ordered elevators to be switched off. Many senior IAS officials including those in her staff had to climb five floors, sweating, puffing and panting. The peons and lower rung of bureaucracy rubbed eyes in disbelief and thanked God for blessing them with 'Maya memsahib.' The lady watched these proceedings on cctv installed in her room.
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Pehle aap, Rahul Baba
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Who says the famous Lucknavi culture of 'pahle aap-pahle aap' is dead and gone. It was evident at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee at parliament house annexe. Senior party leader M.L. Fotedar was stepping out when he saw Rahul Gandhi too approaching the door way. The family retainer stopped making way for the young Gandhi. But the public school educated showed respect for the elder. He insisted Fotedar to go ahead as he was ahead. But loyalist in Fotedar would not commit such indiscretion. The exchange of civil courtesies of 'pahle aap-pahle aap' went for a bit too long for Rahul's comfort. Having served Indira and Rajiv, Fotedar's sense of timing came handy as he quietly stepped ahead.
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Kapoor babe's dreams
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Actress Kareena Kapoor has a dream. She wants to start a yoga school and run a school for underprivileged and handicapped children.
The size zero figure actress says sister Karishma will be a partner in the venture. The school for the underprivileged will be different as it will have state of the art equipment and recruit persons qualified to look after children with special needs. The Kapoor sisters have not thought of the name of the school but when someone suggested Lolo & Bebo, Kareena smiled but did not deny it.
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Woes of "teen deviyan"
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They are called as Congress' 'teen deviyan' and stumbling block of Congress-SP alliance in Uttar Pradesh. Begum Noor of Rampur, an elegant lady of taste who had lost to Samajwadi Party's Jaya Prada, Louis Khurshid and Ratna Singh of the Congress have earned a tag of opposition to the alliance.
These Congress women however assert their right to be considered, as alliance with Samajwadi party in Uttar Pradesh is going to badly affect them in Rampur, Pratapgarh and Farrukhabad respectively. Known to be influential, the trio is working hard to either block the alliance or force SP to concede these three Lok Sabha seats. It is unclear if Sonia Gandhi is favourably inclined on gender lines but sources close to her rule out such a possibility. In such a grim scenario, Digvijay Singh is their best bet. Diggy Raja who is AICC general secretary in charge of UP, is having a running feud with Amar Singh. Each day Digvijay's office at 24 Akbar Road is graced by one of these ladies where jasmine tea is served.
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Tiwari, not giving up
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Andhra Pradesh governor Narain Dutt Tiwari wants to return to active politics. The veteran Congress leader is keen to contest coming Lok Sabha polls from Lucknow. Tiwari, former chief minister of Uttarakhand feels he will be able to deliver Lucknow for the Congress as Atal Bihari Vajpayee used to win it for the BJP. Tiwari considers himself as "UP wallah" in spite of state-bifurcation on grounds that he served as chief minister of undivided UP thrice. It is however unclear if Sonia Gandhi will let Tiwari have his way as Salman Khurshid, Sanjay Dutt and Shabana Azmi's names have also been doing rounds for Lucknow seat.
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Minority appeasement!
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The appointment of little known Ms Massarat Shahid as chairperson of Rs. 570 crore budget national minorities development and finance commission has raised few eyebrows. The chairperson who hails from Madhya Pradesh is a lowly Congress functionary and known to be close to an AICC general secretary. Her appointment as head of a key financial institution for minority welfare is being questioned on grounds of experience or rather lack of it. It is more glaring as Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is known to have exercised greater caution and scrutiny in matters of such appointments.
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Revamping home ministry?
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Some bureaucratic and political circles are convinced that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will have to restructure union ministry of home affairs in the near future. In such an eventuality, several names are doing the rounds as head of the newly carved out department or ministry. A section of the Congress wants it to be headed by some bright young face of the party but senior leaders are inclined towards giving current national security advisor M.K. Narayanan a political face. This school of thought is credited with the view that NSA should focus full time on domestic and internal security matters rather than monitoring 123 Agreement.
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Madam, are u ok?
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Each time Sonia Gandhi sneezes, the Congress party catches cold. So there was considerable anxiety in the Congress when Sonia paid a visit to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Even as the visit was termed as routine for a regular check up, congressmen of all hue and shade were heard whispering if all was well. Sonia was admitted to Ganga Ram during New Year (2008) following a severe asthma attack and chest infection.
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Now, Now, can we believe AB Jr.?
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Abhishek Bachchan has all the ingredients of a politician. It was evident during an interview to a TV channel recently. Bachchan junior asked whether the next generation of Gandhis-Bachchan, him and Rahul, as leaders in the field of politics and films will come together. He says there are 'no problems between us' and 'when we meet we are perfectly fine' - referring to Priyanka and Rahul.
Abhishek blamed distance in relationship to geographical distance and the fact that they have grown up and become busy in their individual activities. He refuses to accept that there is or has been any 'khatas' (bitterness) in Gandhi-Bachchan relationship. Any takers? |
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