Relative reaction

Parliament wasted little time in expelling 11 MPs after TV channels exposed them for charging money to ask questions in Parliament. But now most MPs seem to be having second thoughts about the hasty action and feel that the black sheep should be given a second chance. Besides, the Supreme Court has sent a notice to the Speaker questioning Parliament8217;s right to expel the MPs. Since the Speaker refused to accept the notice, a showdown between the courts and Parliament was in the offing.

The move to reinstate the expelled members was bogged down over the question of who should bell the cat. No major political party wanted to be seen taking the initiative as it would imply condoning of corruption. A compromise formula has finally been worked out where an innocuous MP will call for a discussion on a motion. Lalu Prasad Yadav has volunteered to raise the issue of taking back the MPs during the debate and the rest of the House is expected to go along in a voice vote.

Now a Diwan-e-Khas

Invitations to the President8217;s At Home on Independence Day and Republic Day are much prized. Guests get to rub shoulders with senior bureaucrats, top brass of the armed forces, diplomats, politicians, journalists and other movers and shakers. Unfortunately, the garden party is losing its charm thanks to a new seating arrangement introduced for ministers since last year.

Earlier, only the President and the Prime Minister stood in a corner and guests lined up to greet them, even as everyone else mingled on the lawns of the Mughal Gardens. Now the ministers and their wives as well as the leader of the opposition have distanced themselves from the aam janta and sit in solitary splendour under a canopy while guests gawk from behind a cordon or line up in queue to meet them. This August 15, the seated ministers looked awkward and uncomfortable, barely exchanging any pleasantries with one other. In fact, a majority of the ministers chose to stay home.

Power-point policy

President Abdul Kalam believes that problems can always be solved if people put their heads together and talk things over. At his Independence Day garden party, he put his theory to practice, summoning Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde to question him about the frequent power breakdowns in Delhi and pointing out that the Commonwealth Games are to be held in the Capital in 2010. Shinde promised to bring the necessary file and explain to Dr Kalam the reasons behind the power shortfall. But the President believes there is no time like the present. He called Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and suggested that Shinde and she sort out the problem on the spot.

Neighbour8217;s envy

The running battle between Ambika Soni and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi over the tiny office space on the third floor of Parliament allotted to her continues. Last session, Soni had taken down her nameplate in protest, making it clear she would not accept a room much below her entitlement, particularly as all other senior cabinet ministers were located on the ground floor. Dasmunsi refused to relent, and this session once again allotted the very same room to her.

Still, there is some consolation for Soni. She has not one but two very smart ministerial offices by virtue of her dual posts as Tourism Minister and Culture Minister respectively. Her offices in Transport Bhavan and Shastri Bhavan, which have been stylishly arranged by Soni herself, who selected new upholstery and added a lot of greenery, are the envy of most of her Cabinet colleagues.