Karnataka
Doosra Hand
All eyes were on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wristwatch and sunglasses after H.D. Kumaraswamy of the JD(S) alleged that they cost Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh respectively. Elections to the zilla and taluka panchayats are due this month and the barbs have been flying thick and fast between the duo after the CM had taken a potshot at the supposed crores Kumaraswamy was spending on his son’s debut film in Kannada. Siddaramaiah, in his typical wry humour, offered to sell the watch for Rs 10 lakh and the sunglasses for Rs 50,000. Would Kumaraswamy care to buy? “I’m not one for second-hand stuff,” went the former CM in response.
Arunachal Pradesh
Power Corrupts
While the nation searches for answers to the constitutional crisis in the state, a new conspiracy theory has emerged: some believe that the Centre is making a grab for power for reasons other than the political. The northeastern state can contribute around 60,000 MW of power with new projects. The fate of close to two-thirds of these was seemingly decided by the UPA. Now, the BJP-led government wants to revisit the old agreements and allot the projects afresh. Of course, all the old contenders will still be in the running, so what deal sweeteners could be possibly driving them?
New Delhi
Not Happening
“Do you think this is Rajiv Gandhi’s government with a game of musical chairs (being played) by eight foreign ministers?” asked an obviously irritated Union minister, quizzed for the umpteenth time on the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle. “Narendra Modi is not fidgety like Rajiv. He is steady. And where is the question of a reshuffle when we are preparing for the budget and the budget session in Parliament?” The minister, who is rumoured to be on the way out, dismissed media speculation that a cabinet recast was on the cards and said this was exactly the sort of speculation the prime minister wanted to avoid, which is why he does not speak to the media.
Andhra Pradesh
Cabinet Carrot?
During his fast demanding reservation for Kapus, ex-minister Mudragada Padmanabham taunted Chandrababu Naidu to reveal the secret behind his multiplying wealth. “Let Naidu reveal his secret and I will give up my fast,” he said. After four days, Mudragada quietly gave up his fast without the government conceding to his demand or the CM revealing his secret. The buzz is that he called it off after receiving assurance of a cabinet berth. While these are rumours, Mudragada is now the target of social media fury. Ammodukupoina Mudragada (Mudragada sold out), say the hashtags.
Heard First actress Roopa Ganguly, then musician Babul Supriyo. Now, the BJP has a new CM candidate on its mind, should it win the Bengal polls: Chandra Kumar Bose, Netaji’s grandnephew.
Overheard Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has apparently shot down an ambitious proposal for the party to start schools, a la the RSS, to net future supporters for the GOP.
Contributed by Ajay Sukumaran, Ushinor Majumdar, Uttam Sengupta, Madhavi Tata and Dola Mitra
