The Absentee Class

The turnout at Red Fort for this year’s Independence Day function was poor as well. There was an unusually large number of empty chairs in the ministerial enclosure though members of the Council of Ministers are supposed to attend this historic event.

In contrast, the enclosures housing bureaucrats and diplomats were full with the latter wearing a stiff upper lip to hide the discomfort of sporting a suit on a hot, muggy, August morning. Obviously government employees don’t have the same leeway as servants of the people.

Modi’s Hospitality

Its visit to the relief camps at Naroda Patiya and the Haj House in Ahmedabad was an eyeopener for President A P J Abdul Kalam’s entourage. They were nonplussed to find that Chief Minister Narendra Modi was stepping into these camps for the first time since they were set up.

Modi maintained a stony silence as the victims mocked him for his callousness but the President was apparently all ears. No wonder Modi dislikes these VIP visits.

Kalam’s trip forced him to set foot in Naroda Patiya, one of the worst affected by the communal violence. Before that, he was an unwilling escort for Vajpayee to the Shah Alam camp. He didn’t say a word on either occasion.

Appointment with Sonia

It seems to be easier for Congress leaders to get an appointment with the PM than with party president Sonia Gandhi. At least that’s what Uttaranchal Chief Minister N D Tiwari found. Twice in recent weeks, he’s sought and been given time with Vajpayee. And both times, he’s cancelled the appointment with the PM at the last moment because his call on Sonia didn’t materialise.

After all, it simply wouldn’t do for a Congressman to meet the PM before he pays his respects at 10 Janpath. He’s managed an audience with Sonia on his current trip to Delhi. Needless to say, he finally kept his date with Vajpayee.

The Missus to the Rescue

The NDA may have found itself a new troubleshooter in Advani’s wife, Kamla. She seems to have made more headway on the Mamata front than either George Fernandes or PMO point man Sudheendra Kulkarni.

Kamla took Mamata in hand at Shekhawat’s swearing in ceremony and insisted that the Trinamul firebrand visit her. We’re sisters, she’s supposed to have told Mamata.

Mamata’s call on Advani later that day may prove to be the turning point in the Trinamul’s troubled relationship with the NDA. After the usual pleasantries, Mamata told Advani that she didn’t want to leave the NDA but she needed a face saver on the railway bifurcation issue.

He told her to sort out the matter with George who was now Samata Party president in addition to being NDA convenor, and that he would not oppose whatever compromise formula they hammered out. Mamata’s MPs, who are waiting anxiously for ministerial berths, are keeping their fingers crossed that the storm will blow over now.