Reflected glory

Whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will visit Pakistan or not is not the only speculation doing the rounds in diplomatic circles. Related to this is another talking point whether Indias High Commissioner to Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal,who is retiring in September,will get an extension or not. The likelihood of his extension was supposed to be assured in case the PMs trip was confirmed. But the glacial pace with which the official-level talks between the two countries is progressing,the prospects of PMs visit does not appear very bright as of now. Sabharwal,therefore,would most likely retire in September and a replacement sent. This is in keeping with a recent trend in the MEA not to grant extensions to serving ambassadors beyond their retirement,a case in point being that of Alok Prasad,Indias ambassador to Japan,who has also not been given an extension.

Slipping on Numbers

Pranab Mukherjee is almost sure to become the next President,but it seems the Congress might be unable to fulfil one promise made to him. Some senior party leaders were learnt to have assured Mukherjee that they would ensure that he gets at least 7.25 lakh votes out of the 11 lakh-plus votes in the electoral college. Its not just that Mukherjees rival P A Sangma has emerged as a strong candidate more serious than many had expected many parties are deciding to abstain,making the target of 7.25 lakh votes difficult. The CPI and RSP have announced their decision to abstain and Congressmen fear some more smaller parties may join the bandwagon. Meanwhile,West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee remains as unpredictable as ever.

Tourism Twist

Minister of State for Tourism Sultan Ahmed has been boycotting all ministry functions ever since Shankersinh Vaghela was appointed as the chairperson of the India Tourism Development Corporation with Cabinet rank. He neither attended the meeting of the National Tourism Advisory Council nor came for the ministrys high profile launch of the Clean India campaign. Vaghelas appointment clearly with an eye on the upcoming Gujarat elections has turned the political hierarchy in the ministry on its head. Never before has the ITDC been headed by a politician. It has always been an additional secretary,or at the most,a secretary rank officer. As MoS,Ahmed,who belongs to the Trinamool Congress,had the overall charge of the only PSU under the ministry. He had written a strongly worded letter to the Prime Minister opposing Vaghelas appointment. But for Gujarat,the UPA seems willing to stand up to Mamata Banerjees party,and has so far ignored Ahmeds protests. With no other option,Ahmed has decided to boycott ministrys functions. Incidentally,Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai,also affected by Vaghelas appointment,considering there are now two Cabinet ministers instead of one in the ministry,was present on both occasions.

Minority Gaps

Its been three months since the terms of two members of the National Commission for Minorities those representing the Sikh and Buddhist communities came to an end. The government is yet to fill up these vacancies,despite couple of names going back and forth. Chairperson Wajahat Habibullah is learnt to have proposed two names,but that did not find favour with the government. Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid recommended a few names,but even those were not acceptable to all. Now the Prime Ministers Office is learnt to have finalised two names and their clearance is underway.

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