| Published on 26-12-2007 In National |
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| Corridor Whispers - Dec 26 Part - 1 |
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Written by
Insider |
Providing NDA a Secular face
The mid-term polls may not be in sight, but post-Gujarat victory, the NDA is convinced that the fall of UPA is imminent. After crowning L.K. Advani as the "prime minister-in-waiting," the NDA bigwigs are looking for a suitable person to replace an ailing George Fernandes as NDA convener.
There are already two front-runners for the job. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has wider acceptance but a section of BJP-RSS wants Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik, son of illustrious Biju Patnaik to step in Fernandes' shoes. Naveen, it is said, is somewhat understated, unsung but better achiever. Moreover with emergence of Narendra Modi as powerful Hindutva mascot, the NDA would need a "secular face" to balance Modi effect.
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Atal's successor in Lucknow
The successor issue may have been settled amicably in the BJP but Atal Bihari Vajpayee's loyal janata in Lucknow is little upset. Who will replace Vajpayee, the parliamentarian representing Uttar Pradesh capital since 1991? Since it cannot be L.K. Advani, a group of city BJP wallahs are planning a visit to Delhi to seek guidance from Atal-Advani on this crucial issue too. Avadh is too important to be treated shabbily, they argue.
Whispers are that former state BJP chief Kalraj Mishra could be Atal's successor in Lucknow. Mishra is a Brahmin like Vajpayee, but his reach is limited as compared to Vajpayee.
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Waiting for Basmati
What is basmati? The long grain rice famous for its fragrance and delicate flavour is apparently a lot more complicated subject than having best taste. This was evident when Union Commerce Secretary G.K. Pillai asked his counter-part in agriculture ministry. The agriculture ministry reply sought time to respond and forwarded "what is basmati" query to Indian Agriculture Research Council for an appropriate response. The IARC in turn deputed its dozens of scientists to investigate Basmati's varieties and hybrids, its approved varieties, DNA markers, Patent battle, list of exporters refused by FDA etc.
The commerce ministry is far from impressed fearing that the exercise may take months before a formal and structured response is submitted.
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Rahul's Dilemmas
In political circles, Rahul is being described as "Abhishek Bachchan" of Indian politics. Take your pick if you consider it as a compliment or affront to him!
In spite of an adverse verdict in Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi is going ahead with holding state-wise workshops in New Delhi to prepare his team. Handpicked youngsters are given political leadership and management training lessons by both in-house (Congress) and professional gurus. These campus trainings are under supervision of party's trainer D.P. Roy.
Rahul's unconventional methods are now becoming acceptable norms in Congress circles. However for Rahul, each day is proving to be a challenge. He is part of the Congress high command and each of his action, gesture, and comment is under sharp scrutiny. There are many in the Congress who feels that the young MP is caught between the "greatness" that has been thrust upon him and his own attempts to learn ropes in "normal course."
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Bureaucratic handicap
With prospects of next pay commission increasing retirement age of babus by two years, a senior IAS officer from Uttar Pradesh cadre is fancying himself as the next Union Home Secretary. When he shared his enthusiasm with a fellow secretary, the colleague offered a word of caution pointing at his CV which lacked the experience of working as district magistrate of Amethi, Raibarelli or Sultanpur district. The argument was that as long as UPA was in power, the association with these three UP districts comes "handy" in getting plump postings. Last heard the
secretary was doing rounds to some astrologers to look for avenues to "ward off" the handicap. |
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