| Published on 02-01-2008 In National |
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| Corridor Whispers - Jan 02 Part - 1 |
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Written by
Insider |
Arjun Singh on the attack
The poll debacle in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh has intensified the power struggle within the ruling Congress party. Arjun Singh is particularly agitated. At a meeting to discuss Gujarat verdict, the Thakur from Rewa told Sonia Gandhi that she was not being assertive and holding those responsible for the debacle accountable. Singh stopped short of saying that his "one-to-one" correspondence was not reaching madam's "eyes and ears." While everyone heard Singh in rapt attention, the human resource development minister targeted prime minister too saying his suggestion to turn the heat on Narendra Modi were disregarded.
In internal Congress politics, Singh has a running feud with Sonia's political secretary Ahmad Patel who hails from Gujarat. Singh camp is upset that Ahmad has not even offered to resign after Gujarat debacle.
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Gujarat heat in Maharashtra
Gujarat heat is being felt in neighbouring Maharashtra too where Congressmen are exerting pressure on Sonia Gandhi to replace Vilasrao Deshmukh. Sonia has not indicated if she is toying with the idea of changing the chief minister who has earned a nickname "hasmukh Deshmukh" on account of his casual attitude towards matters of politics and eternal smile plastered on his face.
In the absence of Sonia's direction, optimistic Congressmen have zeroed in on Prithviraj Chavan and Mukul Wasnik as likely successor of Deshmukh. The problem is that both Chavan and Wasnik had lost 2004 parliamentary polls. Moreover, Chavan has recently been made AICC general secretary in charge of poll-bound Karnataka, Tripura, Meghalaya and Jammu & Kashmir. He is also minister in prime minister's office.
In Mumbai, governor S.M. Krishna is also getting restless. The former Fulbright scholar is itching to get back to poll fields of Karnataka than to while away time in Mumbai Raj Bhawan.
Would Sonia create twin vacancies in Mumbai Mantralaya and Raj Bhawan?
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Chennai's moral policing
Chennai saw a rather agile police force on Christmas and Boxing Day nights.
The men in uniform were however not much concerned with cases of murder, dacoity, theft etc. Their focus was on "beach parties" lined along the picturesque east coast Road to trap the party animals. The private parties were committing several "crimes" ranging from drinking in public to "indecent exposure." The best part of the festive season was that no cases were registered though cops managed to bring gifts and goodies with Santa Claus.
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Donkey-ed Cops
It turned out to be the donkey's day out. Residents of Thane, Mumbai gave vent to their anger over absence of policemen in Indira Nagar residential area. After repeated plea and petition when residents failed to get policemen posted in local chowky (post), the community got there. Next, they hired some 35 donkeys and marched to Sri Nagar Police Station where men in uniform got an unusual crowd of donkeys protesting with Indira Nagar residents. The cops were so unnerved that the demand was readily accepted with a written order. Task accomplished, men and donkeys walked back together in leisure, triumphant.
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Gambhir's turn on Idiot Box
Southpaw Gautam Gambhir is now going to land into our drawing rooms! The stylish opener who had played a big role in team India's T20 World Cup win will soon be seen on a TV serial Left Right Left.
It is learnt that Gambhir got the offer from show producers Tony and Diya Singh for the army-backdrop drama. The producers claim that the batsman who comes from an army background, identifies with what is shown in the serial.
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Tailpiece: Heard in the BJP office soon after party's spectacular victory in Himachal Pradesh: Jeeta Samundra (Gujarat) Jeeta Himalaya. Ab Dilli Ki Bari Hai. Nischit jeet Hamari hai (Victorious In the Sea, as well as in the Himalayas, Next is Delhi. Our victory is assured) |
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