| Published on 27-02-2008 In National |
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| Corridor Whispers - Feb 27 Part - 2 |
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Written by
Insider |
Natwar at crossroads
Another old guard and Arjun's good friend for decades, Natwar Singh is in a bit of spot too. The princely Jat from Bharatpur has quit the grand old party but his future looks a bit uncertain. Natwar had two options – Samajawadi Party and the BJP as his next destination. The career diplomat found Samajwadi Party a bit too parochial and secretly expressed desire to join the right wing BJP. When everything looked certain, an element of uncertainty crept in.
While Natwar camp is busy pointing an accusing finger at "forces" that got him out of external affairs ministry over Volcker report, BJP insiders say local leadership in Rajasthan is resisting Natwar's entry in the party. All is not over for Natwar yet but the man of letters is tense.
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Bal Thackeray's dilemma
The Shiv Sena is in a fix. Balasaheb Thackeray's daughter-in-law and well-known Bollywood producer Smita is said to be angling for a Rajya Sabha seat to join the league of Bollywood legends like Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan etc. In the past, Sena has given upper house berth to many non-Marathi speaking persons like Pritish Nandy, Ram Jethmalani, Chandrika Kenia but with rival Raj pitching for Marathi manoos (or a mahila), Sena patriarch is under pressure to grant Rajya Sabha to a Marathi speaker. So when senior Thackeray looked around, he could not go any further than
daughter-in-law Smita. But son Uddhav and other Sena leaders are reluctant.
The arithmetic for April biannual polls from Maharashtra are such that the BJP-Sena can push a nominee each while the Congress will get two if it gets help from partner NCP. As far as the BJP is concerned, its spokesman Prakash Javadekar is busy buying designer kurtas in anticipation of his maiden entry in Rajya Sabha.
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Dravidians' religious symbolism
The battle of one-upmanship between M. Karunanidhi's sons Stalin and Azhagiri continues in contrasting style. Azhagiri recently celebrated his birthday in Madurai in outlandish manner with his fan club depicting him as "Pope Benedict the XVI." This was hardly surprising, as Azhagiri, during his previous birthdays, has been projected as avatar of lord Rama and Shiva. Stalin's birthday falling on March 1 will show the other face of Karunanidhi family. The mayor of Chennai has requested his supporters to distribute books and uniforms to needy school children instead of any ostentatious celebrations.
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Chavan, the rising Star
Prithviraj Chavan is proving to be the flavour of the season. The minister of state in prime minister's office (PMO) is getting more and more work. Indications are that Chavan will get to handle DoP (department of Personnel) currently under Suresh Pachauri who has been sent to Madhya Pradesh as state Congress chief.
Congressmen are puzzled by Chavan's sudden ascent wondering how the PMO minister will be able to do justice with DoP. He is also AICC general secretary in charge of Tripura, which is in the middle of assembly polls. Chavan also holds charge of Karnataka and J & K, which are scheduled to go for polls this year. The man who lost Karad Lok Sabha has already become inaccessible for majority of party men. Disgruntled Congressmen say perhaps his inaccessibility has become a qualification of sorts. |
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