Journalism of Courage
Taking a dig at the UPA government,which has been embarrassed by Rahul Gandhis sudden outburst against the ordinance on convicted lawmakers,Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has suggested a sense check for all further legislations. …UPA govt should send all bills/ ordinance to Cong VP to do a sense check in order to avoid any embarrassment later on, Chouhan tweeted.
At a time when the JD(U) and BJP are hoping that the RJD will be hit by Lalu Prasads sentencing in the fodder scam case,his ally and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan sought to send a message of unity. Paswan and his son,Chirag Paswan,met Lalu in jail to express their solidarity and to send the signal that the alliance between the two parties is still in place.
Modi effect
While CPI(M) leader Nilotpal Basu deemed it fit to miss the day-long youth conference in the Capital on Wednesday after learning that the BJPs prime ministerial candidate,Narendra Modi,would be attending it,Trinamool Congress leader Dinesh Trivedi not only attended the function from the start,but was also seen exchanging pleasantries with Modi before leaving the venue.
Ups and Downs
The process to empanel lawyers for Railways in the eastern region has taken a political colour. In 2010,then Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee had empanelled a large number of lawyers to represent the zonal railways and production unit in the eastern region in the high court and the Central Administrative Tribunal in Kolkata. Topping the list,in terms of preference,was her own MP Kalyan Banerjee. The panels term is now over and MoS Railways Adhir Chowdhury,who is also Mamatas arch enemy,has been entrusted with the job of overseeing the formation of a new panel. Unlike Mamata,Chowdhury is sending letters to all MPs seeking their suggestions on the names of lawyers,but sources said Kalyan Banerjee may lose the coveted spot in the list.
Mixed signals
Rahul Gandhi may be trying to end the controversy over his public criticism of the ordinance on convicted lawmakers,but the Congress,on its official website,continues to carry his remarks verbatim. Moreover,the AICC website also has a video of Rahuls impromptu interaction with the media.
Tailpiece
Rural Development Minister Jairam Rameshs press conference on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modis statement about toilets first,temples later coincided with Lalu Prasads sentencing. When asked about his views on the sentencing,Ramesh said he would only comment on the issue of toilets. Pressed further,Ramesh retorted that Lalu Prasads cell would have an attached toilet.
