When it comes to West Bengal, the BJP leadership seems keen to flaunt the ‘Bengali connection’ in leaders appointed to key positions. Wives of both Kailash Vijayvargiya and Sidharth Nath Singh, general secretary and secretary in charge of the state respectively, hail from West Bengal. Varun Gandhi, who was the general secretary in charge of the state before Vijayvargiya, is also connected to the state through his wife Yamini Roy. BJP leaders hope this improves the party’s prospects in the state. Curious Clause The HRD Ministry issued new rules for recruitment of the vice-chancellor of National University of Educational Planning & Administration (NUEPA) this week. Everything looks routine except for one clause which prohibits polygamy and even makes it a ground for disqualification. It, however, clarifies that the government will not object if polygamy is permitted under the “personal law” applicable to the V-C in question. [related-post] Test Of Patience CJI T S Thakur lost his cool when it was suggested by a lawyer for the Sahara Group that the Supreme Court had jailed its chief Subrata Roy in a questionable manner. When Justice Thakur declined a verbal plea by Sahara lawyer Rajeev Dhavan to consider an interim bail for Roy, Dhavan said the CJI earlier used to refuse with a smile, but now he does it with a frown. The CJI replied: “I am a human being. I also lose patience at times.” National Twist The Indian Council of Historical Research’s annual lecture started in an unusual way Tuesday. Before historian S C Mittal, also the head of RSS history wing Akhil Bharatiya Itihaas Sankalan, delivered his lecture on the Indian national movement, the audience was urged by ICHR staff to sing Vande Mataram. This was followed by slogans of Bharat Mata ki Jai. The event ended on a similar note as the gathering was asked to sing the national anthem and some chanted Bharat Mata ki Jai.
