Son Rising

Enemy no. 1

Bringing out booklets and pamphlets on issues have always been a part and parcel of CPM’s campaign strategy. But rarely has it come out with booklets to attack personalities and his policies. In an unusual move,the CPM has brought out a 24-page booklet to slam Narendra Modi. Titled ‘The BJP Model for India — Vikas Purush and Vinash Neeti’,the booklet speaks about Modi’s PR exercises,the orchestrated media shows,twitter campaigns and mobilised crowds to project him,dwells extensively on his “role” in the 2002 riots and the new evidence that has come up against him,derides his model of governance and highlights the encounter killings in Gujarat. While the booklet also attacks the Congress here and there and argues for the need for a non-Congress,non-BJP alternative,it leaves no one in doubt as to who the CPM considers as its number one enemy in the run-up to the general election.

No Handicaps

Though forced to work from home due to multiple fractures in his wrist due to a fall,Tribal Affairs Minister V Kishore

Chandra Deo is working overtime to prepare a draft paper on mining policy meant specifically to Schedule V areas. While the subject falls under the Ministry of Mines,Deo has

decided to take the initiative and draft a policy and circulate it within his party for feedback.

Creative Charge

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) now has a versatile personality looking after its food business. Newly-appointed IRCTC director,Catering,R N Kalita,a veteran in Indian Railway Traffic Service,is known as a singer,radio anchor,musician,quiz master and newspaper columnist. He has also acted in films and TV shows,lent his voice to the radio and performed on stage. The list of awards conferred on him

includes “Best Quiz Master of Assam” by Assam Sports Association,President of India’s “Silver Star” and “Silver Elephant” medals for his contribution to Scouting in India.

Prosecution Case

Even as a debate continues over the issue of autonomy for the CBI,the agency and the government are quietly searching for a replacement for its director of prosecution Abdul Aziz. A joint secretary in the Ministry of Law and Justice,Aziz had been transferred to the CBI as director of Prosecution. After his retirement from the post,he was re-appointed as DoP with the rank of additional secretary. Now,while the search is on for his replacement,sources said,some senior functionaries of the ruling dispensation are pushing for an extension of his service.