Feminists give no respite for Jaiswal
There are rumours that union coal minister, Sriprakash Jaisawal’s days are numbered. Not because of the coal allocation scam. But because of his sexist remark. In party, which is ruled by a woman (Sonia Gandhi), Jaisawal went ahead and took a dig at women, particularly wives. Addressing a kavi sammelan he went on to say wives lose charm over time. Trying to be humourous, he said: Nai jeet aur nai shaadi ki alag hi baat hoti hain. Jaise samay beet jaata hain, jeet purani ho jaati hain, patni bhi purani ho jaati hain. Woh maza nahi rehata (A new victory and a new marriage is a different matter. As times passes, the victory becomes old and the wife also becomes old. Both lose charm). This time, the coal minister, who is already facing heat of coal bloc allocation has perhaps chewed more than he could bite. Mrs Gandhi is reportedly seething. Jaisawal has apologised. But if the Congress leaders are to be believed, time has finally run out for this witty man.
All dressed up, but man, not really charged up
Now Rahul Gandhi is all set to assume an “important role” in the organisation. He is planning to rejig the Congress. Congress leaders, particularly the likes of Ahmed Patel are now concerned over Rahul’s stepping into the organisation. Rahul, insiders say is now planning to overhaul the entire organisation starting from AICC to the district committees. There are talks of young turks replacing the old guard. The old guard, which is now concerned about the survival, feels that it would have been better if Rahul had been inducted in the ministry. There is no clarity on how Rahul will introduce the changes and how he is going to strengthen the weak party units in certain states. Party is going downhill in Andhra Pradesh, Maharshtra. Organisational changes are likely in Uttar Pradesh, where Rahul had a disastrous run during the Assembly polls. One person, however, is trying hard to survive by projecting himself as Rahul’s man Friday is Digvijay Singh. Sensing his electoral and organisational track records do not provide him immunity, Digvijay is working hard to find a secure place in the new order.
Horns locked
So what if the West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo, Mamata Banerjee has decided to take the government head on. The Congress at the Centre is now requesting its Bengal units not launch any major attack on Ms Banerjee’s government.
This is mainly because, the Congress does not want Trinamool to field any candidate for the Jangipur bypoll. The seat fell vacant after Pranab Mukherjee became the President. His son, Abhijit is the Congress candidate for October 10 by-poll. It is learnt that the President, Mr Mukherjee is also in “touch” with “didi” and trying to persuade her not to field any Trinamool nominee against his son.
Wooing ever willing BSP
Apprehending that Samajwadi Party might just join hands with the Trinamool Congress, which has threatnened to bring a no-confidence motion against the government, the Congress is now trying to woo the BSP supremo, Mayawati. The party is believed to have offered BSP with 21 MPs in its kitty, the railway ministry, which was under the Trinamool in the good old days. However, it uncertain whether the BSP would take the bait as, Mayawati has not yet responded to Congress’ overtures.
President in a mood to celebrate puja
President Pranab Mukherjee is all set to conduct Durga puja at his ancestral village of Mirati village in Birbhum district of West Bengal later this month. Durga puja is the most important event in Mukherjee’s personal calendar and security and protocol issues are being fine tuned to make the visit possible. Mukherjee is known to spend this annual festival at his ancestral village each year and it seems that the President doesn’t want to change his annual devotional trip even after being elected as the head of the republic. Durga puja is scheduled to take place between October 19-23 this year.
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