| Published on 29-01-2008 In National |
| Viewed 1771 times |
| Corridor Whispers - Jan 29 Part - 1 |
|
|
Written by
Insider |
The Ditched Bachchans
Amitabh Bachchan is a popular man. It was therefore little surprising that there was nobody to receive him at Bhopal airport when "Big B" arrived at his "sasural" to attend a family wedding. Bachchan accompanied by wife Jaya, daughter-in-law Aishwarya and regular Amar Singh waited for considerable time but no car or vehicle was in sight. An embarrassed Jaya kept trying brother-in-law Rajiv Verma and sister Rita's mobile whose son was getting married later in the day. While Bade Miyan appeared agitated and Amar Singh edgy, the car would just not show up.
Finally a Tavera arrived but it was meant to be for the pilot of the special aircraft that had brought Bachchans and Amar. The courteous pilot offered them lift till Green Wood Country Club where marriage ceremonies were taking place. Inside the Tavera, the sitting arrangements were not without significance. Amitabh and Pilot sat in front with the driver while ladies--- Jaya, Shweta and Ash were in the middle seats. Brother Amar made himself comfortable at the boot seat at the rear end. Given the state of Bhopal roads, Amar may remember this journey for a long long time. One wonders why Amar, given his resourceful nature and Samajwadi Party network in Madhya Pradesh did not arrange a comfortable car for himself?
---------------------------------
Lalu's tit for tat for Nitish
Laloo Yadav when asked about Nitish Kumar banning a chapter on him in school text books said that while he did not get anything written on himself during long years of Laloo-Rabri rule he would have a chapter on Nitish Kumar whenever RJD returns to power in Bihar. He will have a chapter on Nitish Kumar, mandatory for all classes on Nitish and his political journey from socialists to the destroyers of Babri-masjid.
---------------------------------
Jairam's nimble feet
These are busy days for scribes covering the Congress beat. First Sachin Pilot hosted a "kisan lunch." Then Jaipal Reddy offered Andhra treat, a generous mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare. Kapil Sibal stepped in and played a perfect host at his farmhouse followed by Veerappa Moily. Both Sibal and Moily had a pick-up and drop bus service from press Club of India and 24, Akbar Road.
These occasions served as perfect settings for gossips and Congress' famed one-upmanship.
At Jaipal's lunch, when Ambika Soni walked in, her bete noire Jairam Ramesh was already there. Sensing cold vibes, the Union Urban Development Minister said rather loudly "welcome Ambikaji, even Jairam is here." While Jaipal may have tried to warn her but the call sought all journos' attention. Feeling awkward, Ambika said she had read in newspapers that Jairam was at the Wagah border (A reference to Pakistan complaint that the junior minister entered Pak territory
without a valid visa). A wag shouted back, "Yes he was, but now on our side of the border."
A section of Congressmen have developed a sneaking admiration for Jairam Ramesh over his ability to bounce back after getting into the doghouse. At Moily's lunch, a ministerial colleague of Jairam was heard commenting, "Jairam is the only one who goes in and out with such remarkable speed: he is out of the committee of future challenges and next minute he is in; one minute he was in Pakistan, and the very next he was back...."
---------------------------------
Shivraj Keeping aloof
Raisina Hills is agog with whispers why Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has not called on President Pratibha Patil? Both hail from Maharashtra and share "Patil" sir-name. It has been several months since Pratibha took over as president of the country. In old days of Maharashtra politics, Shivraj and Pratibha were never at loggerheads. Any prize for guessing?
---------------------------------
Congressmen---The in-between problem
Just as AICC's media department chief Veerappa Moily began to feel triumphant over presence of Rahul Gandhi at his lunch, a group of eunuchs played spoiler. It is incredible but true. In the high security zone of 3, Tughlaq Lane, eunuchs moved inside with ease and even demanded money from the host for the gathering that had nothing to do with either wedding or arrival of a newly born. Minister in PMO Prithviraj Chavan was the first victim. As Chavan was hurrying up to leave, eunuchs got hold of him. Neither persuasion nor political clout worked, with ahem, ladies! Chavan had a crumpled hundred-rupee note that acted as a saviour. Moily has been secretly getting the matter examined on who gave a tip-off to eunuchs. Nonetheless, the bizarre event showed that the political class has not lost its sense of humour.
|
|
|
|
|
| Social Web |  |
| |
|
|
| |
Processing please wait ...
Top Stories
