kolkata Confidential

Barring some of her favoured journalists,the region around where the CM and her close aides sit,is inaccessible to all.

So,beat it

When she assumed power,Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee promised to journalists that the press corner in Writers Building will be brought to its earlier location – in front of the CMs chamber. That never happened. Today,out of her presumed colossal apathy for them,journalists are not even allowed anywhere close to the CM at Nabanna. On the 14th floor,where she sits,mediapersons are confronted by policemen. At most,a reporter can go to the chamber of her affable confidential assistant,Ashok Subramaniam. But barring some of her favoured journalists,the region around where the CM and her close aides sit,is inaccessible to all. The restriction spills on to the portico downstairs,too,where reporters are forbidden to put questions at an either entering or leaving Mamata. Even at press conferences,she leaves immediately after making her statement,without waiting to quelch inquisitive reporters. Government beat,used in media parlance,may soon become a thing of the past,journalists have begun to say.

Paid visit vice-versa

Victoria Vada near Vardan market on Camac Street has now become a celebrity kiosk with many flocking there for a plateful of palate-tickling vada,priced at Rs 30 a plate. And what has put the stall on place of interest map is one of its recent customer. On Friday,before leaving for CHOGM meet in Colombo,Britain Prime Minister David Cameron had savoured the fabulous vada. People visiting the market are especially asking for the kiosk that sold vada to Cameron. The owner,Anurag Chouhan,admits that sales have sky-rocketed in the last two days. WIth that has questions hurled at him,and its mostly the same: What did the prime minister tell you after eating the vada? How much did he pay? and such. And Chouhan,who is relishing every bit,is all up for it. I know it is short-lived,so I want to make the most of it, he said.

In company of CM

Be it the inauguration of film festival or prize distribution ceremony at the recently concluded India-West Indies Test at Eden Gardens,one face that always accompanied the chief minister was of bureaucrat Atri Bhattacharya,principal secretary in the department of information and culture. Bhattacharya is now considered to be the blue-eyed bureaucrat of the CM. And the affable,polite,polished and happy-go-lucky bureaucrat seems to be enjoying every bit of it.

Ex-Cong councillor to contest civic polls on TMC ticket

Kolkata: Four-time Congress councillor Arun Roy Chowdhury will contest on a TMC ticket in Howrah Municipal election to be held November 22. Chowdhury,who had recently joined the TMC,faced accusations of understating his asset details to State Election Commissioner. In a letter to the SEC,the Congress appealed for disqualification. ens

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kolkata Confidential

Barring some of her favoured journalists,the region around where the CM and her close aides sit,is inaccessible to all.

Barring some of her favoured journalists,the region around where the CM and her close aides sit,is inaccessible to all.