Pramod Mahajan's filial secrets

The after effects of Pravin Mahajan's "disclosure" in Pramod Mahajan case continue. While BP activist Alakananda is busy giving television bytes and quotes to media, Pravin's wife, Sarangi too was shaken by the turn of events.

Sarangi suffers from high blood pressure and was taken to a doctor in Thane minutes after Pravin made the comment in Mumbai court. Sarangi's brother Shailendra Pulliwar said she was exercised by the
way things changed in court. "She has been strong all along, but she is human too. The continuous conflict and apprehension is taking a toll on her health," Pulliwar said.

Sarangi was present in court with kids Kapil and Vrushali, when Pravin's unexpected declaration, which the media has been banned from publishing, brought a twist to the case.

In Mumbai's political and social circles, there is a near unanimity that Pravin's version of what happened on the morning when Pramod Mahajan was shot may change the course of the case. All eyes are on him now with a sense of expectation.
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Mahajan Ghulam!

The day Pravin indulged in character assassination, it was Pramod's 58th birthday. Most of Pramod's family members were busy preparing for a ghazal evening by Ghulam Ali as a mark of tribute to the departed BJP leader. Pramod was extremely fond of Urdu ghazal and Ghulam Ali was his all-time favourite. In fact, at one occasion, Ghulam Ali's live performance in Mumbai coincided with an important BJP meeting in Delhi. Pramod had reportedly sought leave from the BJP meet citing his mother's illness as a reason. But in the evening, he was seen sitting in Ghulam Ali's concert.
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Soc(k) them women Footballers

The Indian woman soccer team is yet to recover from the shock. Having beaten the Iranian women team 3-1 in AFC Asia Cup qualifier match played in Gurgaon, the Indian team suffered a sound drubbing in the "away" match in Iran. Iran produced a major splash when they crushed India 4-1 in Tehran to qualify for the Asian Nations Cup to be held in
Malaysia in March next year.

Post-match, Indian woman football association patron Priyaranjan Dasmunshi has received a detailed report about reasons for the debacle. It ranges from allegations of "men" playing for Iranians to the fact of Indians got nervy by a loud and noisy "all women crowd"  in the stands.

Rahul Under Chinese Spotlight

Apart from Youth Congress leaders, China is viewing Rahul Gandhi with lot of hope and potential. China scholar at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Ding Xueliang feels Chinese establishment view young Rahul (who recently visited China with mom Sonia) as 'princeling' who is tipped to take up future leadership position in
India. The spotlight on Rahul notwithstanding, Xueliang thinks top communist leaders succeeded in convincing Sonia that instead of viewing itself as an Asian counterweight to China, India should cooperate rather than compete with China.
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Sonia comfortable with Red

Prakash Karat's affection for Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has once again brought in focus some hidden aspects on n-deal standoff. Was it something personal? Why has CPM General Secretary gone public
insisting that Manmohan's "integrity is "unquestionable?" Delhi's power circles are agog with whispers on how the left
leadership was accusingly pointing at prime minister's "proximity" to the Bush Administration. The slur said to have vitiated left-PM ties so much that almost led to the fall of UPA. But now with Karat "mending" ways, Congressmen are hopeful that UPA will complete remaining part of the term.

What is more interesting and intriguing is the fact that though Left-PM ties had hit an all-time low, Gopalan and Ajay Bhawan comrades continue to have excellent rapport with 10, Janpath. In fact, when Sonia Gandhi was going to China, CPM leader Sitaram Yechury briefed Anand Sharma, minister of state for external affairs (who accompanied
Sonia) on the finer points of "Chinese checker!"