Lucknownama

Priority-wise

Recently,the dream of possessing a VIP number for his vehicle by Samajwadi Party MLA Ghulam Mohammad from Siwalkhans in Meerut was foiled by Transport Minister Durga Prasad Yadav. Ghulam was waiting for over a month to get the UP 15 0001 number for his vehicle. He arrived at RTO office in Meerut and staked claim for the number. While he was sitting with the official,a person identified as Muklesh Sidharth — armed with a letter from the transport minister — reached there and got the number allotted for his vehicle. His registration was done quietly and he left immediately. When the SP MLA came to know about the incident,he created a scene and sat on a dharna against the officials. When things went out of control,officials showed him the letter of the transport minister after which the SP MLA too left.

Silver lining

Amrit Lal Nishad,a poor boatman in Allahabad,received a surprise gift from BJP leader Uma Bharti. Nishad had ferried Bharti during her visit last year in his boat in the Ganga. The BJP leader had tried giving some remuneration to Nishad for his service,which he politely denied. Later,after a year Nishad sent an invitation to Bharti for attending his daughter’s wedding. Though Bharti did not make it to the ceremony,she sent a silver crown with her letter as a gift to local BJP leaders which was duly delivered to Nishad.

Futile effort

Health officials from Ghaziabad and Meerut were on their toes as A K Ghosh,Mission Director of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM),was to appear for his postgraduate paper at Meerut College. Ghosh,is pursuing MA (Final) in defence studies. He was to appear for the International Law paper on Thursday. Health officials had made elaborate arrangements for Ghosh’s visit. They were waiting to receive him at Meerut air strip. The Circuit House was reserved for his stay. Hospitals were also spruced up in case he ventured out for inspection. However,all arrangements proved futile as Ghosh skipped his paper.

Ties apart

After Cabinet Minister Azam Khan was detained at Boston airport during his recent US visit with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav,his colleague cabinet minister Shivpal Yadav too turned down the invitation for a US visit from John Hopkins University. Shivpal even wrote a letter to US president Barack Obama against the ill treatment meted out to Khan. However,Aditya Yadav,who is the chairman of PCF and son of Shivpal Yadav,had different plans. Leaving behind the anti-US sentiments of his party (and father),Aditya left for US to attend an International Fertilisers Association conference in Chicago.

Going soft

BJP national general secretary Varun Gandhi is holding rallies in Uttar Pradesh ahead of Lok Sabha elections. He is targeting the UPA government at the Centre on issues of corruption and the Samajwadi Party government in UP on law and order and unemployment issues,in his speeches. Though BJP leaders are happy with Varun’s projection in the state,they are worried over his soft attitude towards his aunt and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and cousin Rahul Gandhi. Varun is not directly targeting Sonia and Rahul in his speeches. He maintained the same approach towards the Gandhis during the Swabhiman rally on May 16 in Sultanpur,that is adjacent to Amethi Lok Sabha constituency,represented by Rahul. After Varun decided to contest the next Lok Sabha election from Sultanpur,party leaders were expecting to make a dent in Congress’ stronghold in Amethi. But Varun’s soft approach is disappointing the party leaders.

‘Detailed’ visit

Chief Secretary Jawed Usmani left on a “private” visit to the USA on May 14. His information officer issued a press statement with explanation for his leave,which stated that Usmani’s daughter,who is studying engineering at Columbia University,New York,is graduating on May 22 and Usmani will participate in the graduation ceremony with his family. He shall be on leave till the end of this month. In his absence,Alok Ranjan,APC will look after the work of Chief Secretary. It is the first time in the state when a senior bureaucrat has issued details of his “private” visit. Sources said that Usmani decided to do so following the experiences of his two earlier “private” visits to the USA when certain bureaucrats and politicians had created rumours that he was no more interested to work in UP and he will not come back to the state. After coming back from one such visit,Usmani had to explain through some media organisation that he had no plans to move out from UP.