Repeat performance

Since it concerns Parliament, most people are too timid to question the need for the 24-hour Lok Sabha TV channel, which has just completed a year.

Since it concerns Parliament, most people are too timid to question the need for the 24-hour Lok Sabha TV channel, which has just completed a year. It is a moot question as to just who is watching the channel. Since Parliament does not sit for more than half the year, and even when it does, it gets regularly adjourned, the channel ends up telecasting endless re-runs of dull and dreary programmes. For instance, on August 2, a previously recorded one-hour discussion on food grain production was telecast five times, a discussion on plastic money thrice. A feature on a little known painter and photographer got half an hour. Old parliamentary debates are regularly re-run, confusing viewers. Bhaskar Ghosh, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee8217;s media adviser, says that the recurring expenses for the TV channel for the year came to only Rs 3 crore. This did not include the cost of purchasing equipment and setting up a studio.

The Left8217;s turn

These days Communist MPs are a common butt of jokes in Parliament8217;s Central Hall, since most of the other MPs are unhappy at the prospect of a mid-term poll. 8220;Enjoy your brief moment of glory, you are sparkling on TV every night,8221; an MP remarked to CPM MP D. Raja. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel warned Abani Roy and Anil Basu, 8220;You are smiling today my friend, you will find there is nothing to laugh about after the poll when your numbers will come down by half.8221; A UPA MP described Brinda Karat as 8220;Bindiya Karat8221; and muttered that if she went to the countryside, she would get a reality check. And that the Left numbers would fall from 59 to nine.

Children8217;s party

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh invited Rahul Gandhi, as well as Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, daughter of DMK boss M. Karunanidhi, and Supriya Sule, the daughter of NCP strongman Sharad Pawar, to a private dinner he hosted for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Kanimozhi and Supriya, incidentally, have become best friends ever since Kanimozhi entered the Rajya Sabha this session. The chief guest himself is only too familiar with the concept of political dynasties, considering that his own grandfather Nobusuke Kishi was once prime minister of Japan.

Come September

CPM MP Brinda Karat was unfazed by the dark looks she received from fellow MPs over her uncompromising position on the nuclear deal. 8220;It is not we who are responsible if push comes to shove, the onus is on the government,8221; was her take. A journalist asked her when the fate of the government would be known. 8220;We should know come September,8221; she replied, referring to the IAEA meeting next month. While her Marxist comrades might be clueless of the significance of the 8220;Come September8221; remark, the middle-aged bourgeoisie is familiar with her allusion to a popular song and movie of the early sixties, starring pop-idols Sandra Dee and Bobby Darren.

Renewing ties

Uttar Pradesh Governor T.V. Rajeshwar and Mulayam Singh Yadav were bitter foes when the latter was chief minister of the state. Singh accused the governor of plotting against his government. But since Mayawati replaced him as chief minister, Yadav has visited Rajeshwar at Raj Bhavan. Yadav is preparing a dossier on Mayawati8217;s land purchases since she became chief minister and knows he will need Rajeshwar8217;s permission if he plans to prosecute her. Rajeshwar is unlikely to help Yadav, but as a former Intelligence Bureau chief, he is an old hand at keeping tabs on political parties. Even allies may turn foes in time.

In the doghouse

Former Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran voted in both the presidential and vice-presidential polls and is sometimes seen in the Parliament premises. But ever since he was removed as minister Maran has not stepped into the Lok Sabha when it is in session. DMK MPs have ostracised him and it would be a tad uncomfortable to sit in their midst. In the AIADMK camp, Dinakaran, once Jayalalithaa8217;s favourite, is also in the doghouse. He too avoids entering the Rajya Sabha.