Delhi Confidential: No Politics, Please

At a press conference on the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan insisted he would not answer any question on politics, but slipped in a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Pradhan was asked about Gandhi’s comment that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat would have been charged with treason in any other country for saying true Independence was achieved when the Ram Temple was consecrated. Pradhan first repeated his request to keep the focus on the Kashi Tamil Sangamam. Then he added: There cannot be a response to somebody’s “lack of knowledge”.

Office Tour

The inauguration of the new Congress headquarters Wednesday saw scores of party workers attempting to enter the premises without permission, arguing with security personnel and raising slogans like ‘gate kholo’. Some, however, managed to breach the security cover. Among them was Mohammad Faisal Choudhary, Rahul Gandhi’s “doppelganger”, who was dressed in the Congress leader’s signature outfit — a white T-shirt and black trousers. Choudhary, who has traveled with Gandhi during his yatras, managed to get inside and was heard boasting to fellow workers about his “full tour of the office”. Workers joked that security personnel likely mistook him for Gandhi.

Birthday Visit

During BSP chief Mayawati’s press conference on her birthday in Lucknow Wednesday, a member of her family made his first appearance at a political platform. Ishaan Anand, 22, is Mayawati’s nephew and BSP national coordinator Akash Anand’s younger brother. Party sources denied speculation that Ishaan is entering politics. They said he is completing his studies in London and had come to Lucknow to celebrate his aunt’s birthday. Ishaan accompanied Akash to the party office and joined other senior leaders for a group photo with Mayawati.