Cricket cheer

The Indo-Pak bonhomie during the first one-day match in Lahore bowled over the two VIP guests from New Delhi 8212; Principal Secretary Braj...

The Indo-Pak bonhomie during the first one-day match in Lahore bowled over the two VIP guests from New Delhi 8212; Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Both were taken aback to see the Pakistani crowd cheering on the Indian team and the latter8217;s supporters included Pakistan8217;s Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri. In fact, it was Kasuri who kept the VIPs8217; spirits up through the disappointing start to the Indian innings. When the fourth wicket fell for less than 100 runs, Prasad apparently turned to Kasuri and said it looked like a Pakistani victory now. The Foreign Minister shook his head and told him to hold on. Let8217;s see what happens, Kasuri said. Sure enough, India went on to win.

Later that night, Lahore8217;s famous Food Street played host to many celebrating Indians. According to one of the tourists, it was almost like being in Delhi. The ambience and the food were reminiscent of home. And of course, there were plenty of familiar faces including Prasad who was dying to sample the delicacies being dished out. The Minister8217;s Pakistani security guards, however, doggedly refused to let him stay at any stall for too long. The star attraction was Saurav Ganguly, who put in an appearance at midnight, accompanied by some family members. He was immediately mobbed by Pakistani fans wanting his autograph.

Advani8217;s lifeline

Advani is missing out on the flavour of the Indo-Pak cricket series as he traverses the country for the BJP8217;s cause. Much to his regret, the television set in his reconditioned rath is not working properly. He hasn8217;t been able to catch a single match yet. Fortunately, his mobile phone is functional and that8217;s become his only means of communication with the rest of the world.

Thank goodness for SMS. It8217;s been keeping Advani posted on the cricket scores. It8217;s giving him the news headlines of the day. And the mobile phone keeps in touch with Vajpayee and other BJP leaders. As a co-yatri wrote, it8217;s their lifeline on this long journey.

Teatime tactics

George Fernandes seems to be following in Sonia Gandhi8217;s footsteps. Like her, he8217;s been wooing the media with informal get-togethers over high tea. He8217;s had two so far, one for editors and one for correspondents. And the conversation was strictly politics, although some hacks did venture to query him about defence matters.

The interactions are part of an image makeover for Fernandes. His aides feel that he8217;s not been getting enough publicity in the run-up to the elections and he8217;s been losing profile because of this. A financial journalist and a corporate communications man are believed to be helping Fernandes out with his media relations. The Defence Ministry communications set-up doesn8217;t know what to make of it but since it8217;s election time, the babus have to take a back seat for the present.

Cong8217;s Kamal

After boasting about his success in squeezing ten seats for the Congress from DMK chief M Karunanidhi in Tamil Nadu, AICC general secretary Kamal Nath is now running for cover. The party8217;s Tamil Nadu unit is up in arms against him and treated amused journalists to the sordid spectacle of anti-Kamal Nath slogans at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi this week.

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Nath was nowhere to be seen. He8217;s far too busy these days saving his Chhindwara seat from the onslaught by the BJP8217;s leading light in Madhya Pradesh, Prahlad Patel. As a result, the meeting to decide Congress nominations for Tamil Nadu was chaired by political secretary Ahmed Patel. He bore the brunt of the state unit8217;s anger. The Congress Tamil leaders had a lot to say about the constituencies and the nominees chosen by Nath. The meeting ended in a walkout and the list could not be released as scheduled.

Meanwhile, Nath took a day off from Chhindwara to seek the blessings of prominent evangelist Asaramji Bapu who he had befriended during the Gujarat Assembly elections. He may not have got much joy from him because, according to the political grapevine, Asaramji has already given his blessings to the rival camp, Prahlad Patel.