Lucknow Nama

TAG-ALONG

SP leader Rashid Siddiqui,under Opposition fire for attending the Muslim panchayat on August 30 at Muzaffarnagar,is a regular visitor to Lucknow. During the Cabinet meeting on October 3,Siddiqui was seen with several ministers in the CM’s office. Thereafter,he met CM Akhilesh Yadav. Later,Siddiqui was seated in the VVIP gallery during the swearing-in ceremony of Raja Bhaiyya at Rajbhawan. Not only this,he also held discussions with DGP Devraj Nagar and DIG Navneet Sikera while enjoying refreshments.

HOUSEBOUND,EMOTIONALLY

The election commission has sent notices to Union Minister Ajit Singh,his son and MP Jayant Choudhary and daughter-in-law Charu Choudhary for being registered as voters at 244/2 Shivaji Road,Meerut Cantonment. The house has been sold and demolished by its new owner. Even though Singh’s family never lived there,it had emotional attachment as Singh’s father and former PM,Choudhary Charan Singh,was registered as a voter at this address.

MUM’s NOT THE WORD

Priyanka Gandhi’s growing involvement in Rae Bareli and Amethi has led Congressmen into believing she might contest from either of the constituencies. During Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s recent visit to Rae Bareli,party workers even put up separate posters and banners lauding her. When Sonia reached Lalganj to foundation stone of forged wheel factory,senior party leaders had to ask youth Congress leaders to stop raising slogans in Priyanka’s name. A party leader justifies it saying that since Priyanka has built the cadre in the constituency,workers are all in praise for her.

IN LIGHTER VEIN

Recently,Kamla Devi Pasi,a local Congress leader and district panchayat chairman of Amethi joined SP. She did so when Rahul Gandhi was in Amethi. Later in the day,she met CM Akhilesh Yadav but was taken aback when he questioned her choice of date to switch parties. He said several allegations were being levelled against him for this act of hers. Pasi was stunned,but broke into a smile the CM quipped: “Don’t worry! Who knows,you might become the next MP from Amethi!”

WHAT LIES BENEATH

Congress general secretary Madhusudan Mistry has asked all UP district and city units to each name three probable candidates for Lok Sabha elections. The order has fuelled speculations about several “non-performing” MPs being dropped. It has also raised doubts about any poll alliance with RLD. “It could be a possible indication to all those sitting MPs who thought they would get a ticket by default,” said a party leader.

FOOD BILL

The BJP state headquarters is successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model of development. The party recently leased out its canteen to a private party. The operator now charges Rs 50 per meal and has a fixed timing. Now,the crowd in the canteen has declined to nearly 10 per cent of what it was earlier. Earlier,the office-bearers and their ‘supporters’ were allowed to take food free of cost any time throughout the day.

SELF-HELP

Minority Welfare Minister Azam Khan may be delaying appointments in minority commission,Waqf Development Corporation,Minorities Financial Development Corporation and other such bodies,but he has quickly appointed Jugul Kishore Balmiki as chairman of state sanitation workers commission. Balmiki has been given minister of state rank. However,Balmiki realised after getting the post that the commission is non-existent in the state with no office or staff. After he failed to get a government room for his office,Balmiki opened up his own office at a room in Hazratganj and got Azam Khan to inaugurate it.