Delhi Confidential: Expert Advice

Remembering Nehru

The Congress high command has summoned its state chiefs to Delhi next Wednesday for a status check on the ongoing 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Jawaharlal Nehru. The high command will, of course, direct them to organise more programmes to mark the culmination of the year-long celebrations. The state presidents have been asked to bring detailed reports of the programmes organised by them so far, with photographs, CDs and pen drives. Sources said the material may be used for a souvenir that the party plans to bring out.

Matter of Extension

Will he or won’t he? This was the main question being asked on Wednesday on the fourth floor of Shastri Bhawan where the Law MInistry of located. It was whether Union Legislative Department Secretary Sanjay Singh, whose extended term was to end on Wednesday, would be granted a last-minute extension. Throughout the day, there were indications that two senior Cabinet ministers, who favoured an extension for Singh, might prevail upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to get the job done. However, the late evening decision to give additional charge of the Legislative Department to Union Law Secretary P K Malhotra put an end to all speculation.

Playing Safe

Stung by the criticism the government received for its decision to organise various competitions in schools last year to mark Good Governance Day, coinciding with Christmas, the CBSE has played it safe this year in organising its ‘Expression Series’ on Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. The CBSE circular, which gives details of the series and the competition rules, clearly states in bold that participation is “voluntary”, and points out that since it is a national holiday, “interested participants may submit may submit the entry from home or from a place as per their convenience”.

Stage Management

There were some anxious moments at the chief ministers’ conclave organised by the Delhi government when Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar remained at the venue even as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was scheduled to arrive. Officials were in a dilemma, given the unofficial understanding with Banerjee that Sarkar would leave by the time she arrived. But Sarkar left just on time, ensuring that their paths did not cross.