| Published on 05-08-2008 In General |
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Written by
Insider |
RBI top job race
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Hectic lobbying is on for next governor of Reserve Bank of India as Y.B. Reddy's term is ending in September this year. Deputy Governor Rakesh Mohan is a front-runner but a section of the Congress is keen on Montek Singh Ahluwalia for the coveted post. Another set of party leaders feel Ahluwalia should be drafted in the party and made a minister if the Congress wins next round of elections. If Ahluwalia is considered for RBI, the opposition including the Left will be enraged due to his liberal outlook towards economy.
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Mocking at austerity
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Was it a sign of farewell or mockery of austerity drive? Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, who is visiting Kuala Lumpur to attend the Commonwealth Parliamentarian Union (CPU) conference, has taken along twenty officials with him. While only six MPs and few speakers of state assemblies are part of the official delegation, the presence of 20-odd bureaucrats has raised considerable interest. Why are so many officials of Lok Sabha secretariat traveling when the government is said to be enforcing some austerity measures?
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The "Home" Race in BJP
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Sushma Swaraj's remark that Ahmedabad blasts were part of a conspiracy to divert attention from the cash-for-votes scandal, has put her in line of some big offices. A section of the BJP and RSS feels Sushma would serve as an ideal 'home minister' in charge of internal security under L.K. Advani. While Advani is tight-lipped about his choice of home minister, Sushma's name is second one to be doing the rounds. Former J & K governor Lt. General S.K. Sinha had emerged as a favourite in some RSS-VHP quarters though Sinha is not in the BJP. Some senior VHP and RSS leaders consider Sinha as an ideal nominee to look after home. Incidentally, BJP chief Rajnath Singh camp too has eyes on the coveted portfolio along with Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Jaswant Singh, Arun Jaitley and Yeshwant Sinha. Advani has problem of plenty.
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Congress Ministers on the edge
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There is a growing unease in the Congress circles over the possibility of Samajwadi Party getting into the Manmohan cabinet. If it happens, the UPA will have to leave nine or ten vacancies as its informal arrangement with allies was to grant a ministerial post against the strength of three and a half MPs. Since 33 SP MPs had voted for UPA's trust motion, it deserves four or five cabinet and an equal number of Minister of State (MoS) representatives. Most allies have made it clear that they will not be accommodating. Thus, if SP insists upon strengthening the government from 'inside,' some Congress ministers will have to make way.
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Leftists also dream
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It is time for some loud thinking and the Congress, BJP and Samajwadi party are not the only ones dreaming and thinking about ministerial offices. Theoreticians in A.K.Gopalan Bhawan too are turning pragmatic. In the event of 'third front' coming to power after the next round of general elections, the CPM, CPI, FB and RSP can join the government. The pragmatic approach is based on principles, we are told. In the absence of bourgeois Congress or a 'reactionary' BJP, the left can get into matters of administration and governance. Now who says Prakash Karat is rigid and inflexible?
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Money Talks!!
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Panchayati raj is no longer a hot property in the Congress.
A pet theme of Rajiv Gandhi---strengthening the grass-root democracy-- no longer attracts party men who swear by the loyalty towards the Nehru-Gandhi family. Union minister for Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar wanted to activate Congress in the functioning of grass-root democracy but could not get enough persons to head the party's department of panchayati raj units in various states. The assignment was to familiarize party cadre about panchayati raj and its participation. Mani then took another route. A cheque of Rs 18 lakhs was secured from otherwise tightfisted Motilal Vora, the AICC treasurer. Now the money is being offered to all those who are willing to carry and spread the message of panchayati raj among Congressmen.
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Finding space for "ex" Ministers!
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Post trust vote, its time to build buildings. 24 Akbar Road which used to be type VII bungalow two decades ago is set for another expansion. The Congress national headquarters has over 30 rooms now but hazards of ruling the country are such that more rooms are needed. In Edwin Lutyen's Delhi, there are strict curbs on such construction activities but then the AICC head-office has weathered all. The expansion plan has a chief architect in Murli Deora, union petroleum minister who cares for the organization. Deora was recently seen in company of AICC general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi and Treasurer Motilal Vora with a blue print. Indications are that some ministers may have to be shifted to the party office if Samajwadi Party gets into the government and gets eight ministerial portfolios. Eager Congressmen wonder if Murli's interest has anything to do with the possibility of him spending office-hours in the party.
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PMO vacancies
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Prime minister's media advisor Sanjay Baru is busy packing bags and there is no sign of a successor. In the absence of an authorized voice, there is no confirmation or denial when the cabinet expansion will take place or whether likes of Shibu Soren and Amar Singh will make it to power corridors of North and South Blocs in Raisina Hills.
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Bargain Sale
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The Samajwadi Party is busy linking its inclusion in Manmohan's council of ministers to seat-sharing formula in Uttar Pradesh during the coming round of general elections. As bait, the SP is said to have offered 22 Lok Sabha seats against Congress wish-list of 26. As per 'rules of the game (i.e. seats won by the Congress and where it finished second), the Congress has claim over 14 out of 81 seats from the state. SP is willing to accommodate as many as 25 which most Congress leaders find it extremely temping and generous. But as long as Amar Singh is around, nothing comes free. The better future means a bitter present. The Congress has to shed its quota in the council of ministers to adjust 'good friend' SP.
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Proxy Media wars
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In Maharashtra, politicians of all shades like to own newspapers. Thackerays have a mouthpiece in 'Samna'. The NCP leadership has ownership control over another chain of newspapers belonging to Sharad Pawar's family. Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh's views find echoed in 'Ekmat' (one view) and now his bete noire Narayan Rane has launched 'Prahar' (attack). Is it not time for the BJP in Maharashtra to join the gang? |
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