Delhi Confidential: Red flag

A fresh development in Tamil Nadu has left many in the central BJP amused as well as curious. BJP’s former state chief K Annamalai, who is giving the party leadership confusing signals about his future moves, in a social media post expressed his disenchantment over the formation of an organisation with a flag bearing his picture. He, however, expressed his gratitude to the gesture of “love” shown by his admirers while advising them to stop their activities and not to use his name or picture. “A painting exists only if there is a wall. Therefore, I request everyone to prioritise improving your own lives and the well-being of your families first,” he said. Party insiders were wondering why Annamalai did not mention the BJP or his commitment to it at all in his post.

Census Sensitivity
Ahead of the Census 2027, it is learnt that officials concerned were asked by members of the Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs at a meeting on Friday about the quality of data to be collected as well as the caste details. Due to the sensitivity of the matter, it is learnt that some Opposition MPs’ questions went unanswered, though they were informed that the highest security measures were being adopted for the data collection and storage. The committee had met the Registrar General and Census Commissioner to discuss the criteria for defining urban areas, which are learnt to be unchanged for now.

Diwali Melody

Renowned singer Harshdeep Kaur’s melodies kept the who’s who of the Capital entertained at Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s annual Diwali party, where another attraction was ‘Ram Durbar’. Last month, Kaur sang a rendition of the devotional ‘Mool Mantra Ik Onkar’ for PM Narendra Modi at his request when she accompanied a delegation associated with the holy Jore Sahib — the footwear of the last Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh and his wife Mata Sahib Kaur.