Politics Right On Track

Big Apple, Petty Spats

Lalit Mansingh’s flatfooted sycophancy was not the only party pooper for Prime Minister Vajpayee during his New York sojourn. His last evening in the Big Apple was soured by an unseemly war of words between rival factions of the Overseas Friends of the BJP. The fight turned so ugly that the Prime Minister walked out of the function in disgust, without delivering the speech he had come to give.

He had reserved the evening for international affiliates of the BJP and other Sangh organisations which had been lobbying for weeks to meet the prime minister separately. But the veneer of civility exploded as soon as the function started, when the new president of the OFBJP was introduced. Members of the rival faction stood up to protest. The president was not a unanimous choice, they alleged. He had been thrust on the organisation. The other side hit back with questions about their bona fides. Within minutes, a staid function had degenerated into a slanging match.

Not bothering to hide his anger, Vajpayee stood up to leave. Please scold them, pleaded someone. But the prime minister retorted that he didn’t want any part of the spectacle in front of him. The bug afflicting the BJP and other Sangh outfits in the country seems to have bitten their overseas wings as well.

London Calling

The politician’s fascination for cricket is acquiring unholy proportions. NCP Sharad Pawar dropped everything to rush to London when the Cricket Club of India invited him to present the felicitation memento to Sachin Tendulkar for his hundredth test match. The ceremony lasted exactly three minutes. But the thrill of the moment was enough incentive for Pawar to undertake the strain of flying to London and returning the very next day in time to attend a high level party meeting.

Pawar at least stood on the field with Tendulkar. Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Chaggan Bhujbal, who also happens to be a senior leader of the NCP, wasn’t allowed anywhere near the stadium although he too flew to London for the occasion. He was spotted hanging around in the lobby of Tendulkar’s hotel, clutching a bouquet of flowers for the cricketer. He managed to hand it over when Tendulkar emerged to board the bus for the stadium. Fortunately, Bhujbal had the presence of mind to keep a photographer at hand. At least, he has something to show his grandchildren.

I Told You So…

The BJP’s controversial former general secretary, K N Govindacharya, has resurfaced, this time to circulate a detailed note on the issue that’s in the eye of the storm these days—disinvestment. He’s pointed out that he was one of the first to oppose it but nobody cared to listen to his arguments then. Along with the note, he’s enclosed a detailed questionnaire on the ongoing economic and social reforms programmes and asked for suggestions on an alternative model.

Ironically, since he’s sent it, among others, to all MPs, one reached Congress Party chief Sonia Gandhi as well. She’s apparently sent back a polite reply, thanking him for the note. You’ve raised some important questions, she’s written. And she’s promised to get back to him after discussing the issues he’s raised with her party leaders.