Lucknownama

Road ahead for Rajnath
What will Rajnath Singh do now? This is the vexed topic of discussion in the party’s UP unit now. During his nearly five-year term as national president,Rajnath Singh ticked off almost every state leader of consequence and promoted his cronies. Naturally he does not have many friends. A BJP leader said they would propose to the party high command that Rajnath Singh be drafted for the revival of BJP’s fortunes in UP,since he has been a former state president,and a former CM as well. To begin with,Rajnath Singh could be asked to concentrate on the Legislative Council elections next month. It will keep him busy; it will also show the extent of his support at the grassroots level,argued a BJP leader.

Losing relevance
Both the IAS and IPS Associations have been almost defunct since the BSP government came to power in May 2007. The IAS Association hasn’t held its AGM in the last three years. The IPS Association’s last AGM was held in 2007. It seems the political bosses don’t like such meetings because these become a platform for airing grievances against the government. Last week,however,the IPS officers held an general body meeting of their association to discuss cadre-related issues. They demanded creation of the police commissioner system in big towns,revival of the post of zonal IGs and revocation of the suspension of Ajay Mishra. Will this inspire the IAS Association? IAS officers too have certain issues about which they feel strongly. But sources say they are unlikely to hold any such meeting. For,the IAS officers do not want to be seen following IPS officers. Also,since the “IAS lobby” came under criticism at the IPS officers’ meeting,a meeting of IAS officers may be seen as an attempt to stoke the IAS-IPS rivalry.

Audacious litterbugs
“Throwing garbage here is prohibited. Anyone caught doing so will be fined Rs 500 — by order,Commissioner,Lucknow Municipal Corporation,” reads a board outside a vacant plot in Vijay Khand in Gomti Nagar. On the gate of the plot’s boundary is painted the owner’s name,“S K Singh,IAS”.  But,neither the threat of penalty,nor the authority of “S K Singh,IAS” seems to deter litterbugs. The place is a veritable garbage dump. But then who will pay heed to such orders when the LMC can’t maintain cleanliness at public places,which is its main responsibility?