Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Vajpayee versus people power: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Home Minister L K Advani got a taste of people power in Goa last week when delegations and representations were made to them that the polls to Goa Assembly expected by May end be postponed. Even local newspaper editors and journalists apprised them of public sentiments in the state.
Of course none of these efforts seem to have had any effect on them. The prime minister said at a press conference that the ruling coalition did not have the numbers in Parliament to extend President8217;s Rule in Goa. And as the party8217;s relationship with ally AIADMK neared its nadir the two top leaders kept saying how the national party needed a clear mandate from voters.
While Thakre spoke about the reincarnation8217; of Christ on Easter. Home Minister L K Advani said resurrection8217; in English even though he prefers Sanskritised Hindi in his speeches even over everyday expressions in Urdu.
Baywatch in Goa: With several tourists drowning in Goa during the past year, the state8217;s Director General of Police R S Sahaye has come up with a proposal to set up a marine police8217; force. In addition to patrolling the waters along the coast, the marine police will assist picknickers drowning off the beaches. No, he din8217;t say whether Pamela Anderson is part of the force.
Tailpiece: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde seems to be too pre-occupied with his homestate. At a public meeting addressed by the prime minister, Munde wound up his own speech with Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra! And added Jai Gomantak as an after thought!
