| Published on 16-01-2008 In National |
| Viewed 1353 times |
| Corridor Whispers - Jan 16 Part - 2 |
|
|
Written by
Insider |
Boozy problem
International passengers visiting Delhi have a problem that both Praful Patel and Narendra Modi are unable to resolve. Due to frequent fog and congestion, many flights get diverted to Ahmedabad. The delay is not all that painful but the fact of Gujarat being a "dry state." Passengers who wish to beat cold and boredom look for drinks to ease the pain but Ahmedabad dry status comes in the way. The passengers' argument that they did not choose to land in Ahmedabad has not been successful. Would Modi look into it?
------------------------------------------
Jogi-Shukla battle revives
The loyalist is turning into a rebel. Former Chattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi is in a defiant mood. Jogi, fresh from poll-bound Chattisgarh is upset over rise of Vidya Charan Shukla in Chattisgarh Congress. What has caused more sense of hurt is Congress high command's tacit "go-ahead" to Vidya Bhaiya. Jogi camp feels Vidya Charan, riding high on Congress leadership's support, is fancying himself as next chief minister of the state.
Jogi is not sitting idle. The former IAS officer-turned politician is reportedly in touch with BSP's Mayavati. Jogi has been dubbing his contact with BSP supremo as revival of "old link" that he had with Kanshi Ram. If Jogi is to be believed, Kanshi Ram used to treat him like "son."
Vidya Charan, considered a politician among politicians has recently returned to the Congress and been camping in Raipur since then. The scheduled assembly polls are in November this year but Jogi thinks it could be advanced to pre-monsoon May.
------------------------------------------
Congress shenanigans
The Congress is witnessing other titanic battles too. Ambika Soni, once considered as un-official number two has teamed up with AICC general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi. Together they have a common target in Sonia Gandhi's political secretary Ahmad Patel. Patel has reportedly lost some of his political clout after Gujarat defeat. In this context, Soni-Dwivedi duo feels they could pose formidable challenge to Patel.
At another level, Jairam Ramesh is fighting a lonely battle even as P.Chidambaram has been added to his baiters' list. The finance minister who had once availed Jairam's services is so upset with the Minister of state for Commerce and Industry's letter writing skills that when scribes asked him on comment on Jairam's letter, he abruptly ended the press conference.
Jairam has reportedly been calling up Ambika Soni too to buy peace but union culture and tourism minister proudly told friends that she did not take his call.
------------------------------------------
Modi sizzles in Delhi
Delhi is beginning to feel Modi heat. At the recently concluded NRI meet, Gujarat's Narendra Modi managed to beat his political isolation. He was seen engrossed in conversation with Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit. At another occasion, Minister for Overseas Affairs Vayalar Ravi acknowledged him when Modi readily offered to set-up a PIO University in Gujarat. The chief minister also promised to give free land to the proposed university winning a loud round of applause.
------------------------------------------
Sonia's diktat
With more and more "aspirants" for Bharat Ratna coming from the BSP, DMK and CPM, political circles in Delhi are intrigued why nobody has spoken for Sonia Gandhi's candidature so far? After all in contemporary politics, Sonia's contribution is not all that insignificant. But it seems the lady at 10,Janpath has herself sent a diktat discouraging party men from raising such a demand. They have been informally told that the price for raising such a demand would be quick disciplinary action.
------------------------------------------
SAARC Varsity---PM keen, Arjun Slow
The peace process may be going slow and political situation in neighbouring Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal etc may be far from normal but Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is going ahead with his plans to set up a "South Asian University" in New Delhi with affiliating units in Saarc countries. It will be developed on the lines of Ivy League universities providing research and professional facilities to students and scholars from Saarc countries.
Informed sources said Dr. Manmohan Singh finalized a CEO too hailing from India. However his name is stuck in Arjun Singh's Human Resource Development ministry, which will be the nodal agency of the south Asian varsity. Watch this space for more details. |
|
|
|
|
| Social Web |  |
| |
|
|
| |
Processing please wait ...
Top Stories
