The Importance of Being Priyanka
After the recent round of state elections and bypolls, two Priyankas made the news. One of course was Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s emphatic electoral debut. However, the other Priyanka in focus was the UBT Shiv Sena’s Rajya Sabha MP, Priyanka Chaturvedi. Given the dismal showing of not just her party but the entire Maha Vikas Aghadi, there were an unusual number of people wondering what will happen to Priyanka’s Rajya Sabha seat. In fact, her Rajya Sabha renomination was talked about as much as the next CM of Maharashtra, which is a statement by itself. There were the usual right wing trolls who love to take a dig at this feisty defender of the secular brigade, but there were as many well-wishers as well. For all those who were asking, her current Rajya Sabha term concludes in April 2026, so don’t write her off as yet. A year, as they say, is a long time in politics.

Dealing with the Trolls
Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Karti Chidambaram has a unique way of dealing with the social media trolls. Pinned on his X handle are what he calls the Top Three WhatsApp University Facts about him and he reacts to them as only he can, calling out the rumours in a very tongue in cheek way. Take the first allegation about him (and his family), that they grow cauliflower in pots on his balcony against which they write off huge amounts as non taxable agriculture income. To this he says with a deadpan face, “let me correct this: we don’t grow cauliflower but asparagus!” And so on. Well, that is one way of negotiating social media’s very slippery slope—some wry humour with a dash of potted asparagus.

PRIYA SAHGAL

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