PM, Sonia frown but Buta will keep his job

As it is, the Centre had warned the Bihar Governor to rein in his sons, Lovely and Sweety, whose activities have drawn a great deal of flak in the state.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who summoned Singh to Delhi on Monday and defended in Parliament the Governor’s action of dissolving the assembly, sought an explanation from him for his actions. Buta, the sources said, had gone fully prepared with reasons. The Chief Secretary had deferred the decision and surely he, the Governor, had the authority to order a few transfers here and there, he is believed to have told the Home Minister.

Some believe Buta Singh has moved out of Congress control into the Laloo orbit but others feel he cannot take far-reaching steps without consulting Delhi.

Even as the Centre tries to rein him in, there is little chance of his being removed. To transfer him would vindicate the NDA’s stand which is something the Congress would like to avoid. And it would only antagonise Laloo. The Congress not only depends on his 25 RJD MPs in Delhi but is also planning to tie up with him for the assembly polls.

The Congress, in fact, can only gain by keeping him in the saddle. It is making a point of ‘‘obliging’’ Laloo. This time the Congress is not going to be satisfied with a measly number of seats. It plans to seek 100, get 60, win 30 — and with Ram Vilas Paswan’s tally, whatever that be, keep Rabri Devi (if she can form a government) in the saddle in Patna for unqualified and hassle-free support in Delhi.

Suspended DIG files PIL

PATNA: Amid the continuing controversy over the recent transfer of 17 IPS officers in Bihar, a PIL was filed today in the Patna High Court challenging the transfers, claiming that these were made ‘‘without the consent of responsible functionaries’’. Filing the PIL, suspended DIG Ajay Verma has contented that the transfer order was passed without the consent of the Chief Secretary.