A Joke Gone Awry
Sushil Kumar Shinde’s book launch had a high powered panel apart from the former Home Minister on the dais. There was also Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh and educationist Vijay Dhar, apart from the author Rasheed Kidwai. When he took the mike, Shinde commented that while he preferred to speak in Marathi, since this was a Delhi crowd, he would stick to Hindi. However, one of his comments soon ran into controversy when he recalled that it was on Vijay Dhar’s advice that he visited Lal Chowk in Srinagar as Home Minister. And even though he did that, he admitted to being a bit scared at the time (in fact Shinde used a more colourful Hindi phrase to express his emotions). Hearing this, and foreseeing the controversy such an admission would cause, Digvijaya advised him, “Perhaps it is better if you stick to Marathi.”
Well, Digvijaya was not wrong, for this is exactly the kind of comment the BJP would pick on and waste no time in targeting the former Home Minister. However, Shinde explained that he had only meant the comments as a joke and nothing more should be read into his statement. Well, that’s one for the bookmarks.
Will Smriti Irani be BJP’s Delhi CM Face?
Will the BJP field former Cabinet Minister Smriti Irani as its CM face against Arvind Kejriwal? Well, according to the rumour mill, the BJP seems to be mulling on this prospect. What has given rise to this speculation is the fact that Smriti Irani has been asked by the party to take an active role in the BJP’s membership drive in the capital. She has also been present at various events such as India’s first Agripreneur Summit organised in Delhi recently. This has sparked the speculation that she could be fielded by the BJP to take on Arvind Kejriwal. In fact, it is no secret that the BJP is looking for a face to take on the sitting CM. If you recall, the last Assembly elections in 2019 were fought without a CM face (by the BJP). This time round, the party is keen to field someone with the political smarts and gumption to take on Kejriwal. So will it field Smriti Irani? Given the fact that Smriti was kept out of the recent Rajya Sabha nominations, it could be that the party has other plans for her.
Say it Again, Sam
What is with Sam Pitroda and his political gaffes? His recent comment in the United States when he observed that no one could call Rahul a Pappu anymore seems to have backfired, for all that it did was to give that unfortunate moniker a new lease of life. Thanks to the Bharat Jodo Yatra most people had forgotten the BJP’s nickname for Rahul, but after Pitroda’s comments this once again became the topic of debate on primetime TV channels. Did Rahul need this publicity at a time when he is sharpening his leadership credentials not just to lead the Congress but also the entire opposition? However, Rahul is not so unforgiving when other leaders make gaffe after gaffe (for example, where is Navjot Singh Sidhu these days?) but he does have a soft spot for his Uncle Sam, who seems to have been given a licence to be politically incorrect.
Remembering the Tele Marxist
Those who covered national politics from 90s onwards, specially the United Front government (1996-1998) and later on the first UPA government (2004-2009) will remember Sitaram Yechury all too well, for he played a key role in these coalitions, particularly the UPA government when the Left had tied up with the Congress. In the post Harkishen Singh Surjeet era, he was the go-too man both for the allies as well as the media. His affable nature and turn of phrase made him a media delight. I remember all too well meeting him at the CPM’s office in Gole Market where he would explain policy in between cigarette puffs. In fact, one way of knowing that Yechury was in the office was to spot his red Maruti in the parking lot which he used to drive himself. Later when television debates took hold in India, the telegenic Yechury was much sought after, which led to the media dubbing him as the Tele Marxist. He will certainly be missed.