The friendly neighbour

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is having trouble with a visitor from neighbouring UP...

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is having trouble with a visitor from neighbouring UP. The proximity of the two states has proved an irritant after Union Minister of State for Rural Development Pradeep Jain,who is an MP from Jhansi,visits the state. Jain,who has relatives in MP,makes it a point to visit the state at times to find out for himself how the UPAs flagship scheme,the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme,is being implemented on the ground. Chouhan is,however,far from impressed. Kud kud ke aa jate hain, they just jump across,he said,referring to Jains unannounced visits. Chouhan said that while union ministers could not be prevented from entering the state,it would be better if they kept the state government in the loop to facilitate arrangements like police escorts.

Roses no more

Assembly sessions in the state are normally marked by the bonhomie between the BJP and Congress members,who despite political differences pose together for pictures and exchange pleasantries. A year ago,Speaker Ishwardas Rohani even gave a red rose to Leader of Opposition Jamuna Devi on Valentines Day. But the atmosphere during the recent special session called to discuss the states development was far from cordial. The Congress had boycotted the session and its leaders left no opportunity to mock the ruling party members during their daily sit-in protest at the Assemblys entrance and the parallel sessions held in the evening. Not only was the bonhomie missing but also harsh words were exchanged between the two sides.

Singing Sushmas tune

BJP leaders in Vidisha,the parliamentary constituency Sushma Swaraj represents in the Lok Sabha,will soon speak her language. The Leader of Opposition in the Lower House is distributing CDs of the speeches she gave in the Lok Sabha on issues like internal security,the Liberhan Commission and inflation. The beneficiaries include party leaders elected to the local bodies. During her week-long stay in her constituency she plans to distribute 2500 CDs. Her supporters are claiming that the distribution takes place during meetings aimed at making elected representatives more committed to people. However,they had to first defend Swaraj from the Oppositions charge that her secretary travelled in a car with a red beacon and presided over officers meetings.

Drinking to prohibition

State Finance Minister Raghavji recently thanked Gujarat for its policy of Prohibition that drives alcohol enthusiasts to neighbouring Madhya Pradesh. Though it was said in a lighter vein,the veteran minister was actually throwing light on the rise in the states income from excise . BJPs RS member Raghunandan Sharma,however,was not impressed. He said that instead of depending on liquor to boost the states revenue,the minister should try other avenues to beef up finances. The minister should take a cue from Gujarats stellar infrastructure that allows it to increase revenue despite prohibition,he argued. Sharma has commited himself to launching a campaign for prohibition in MP. Incidentally,both ministers are teetotallers.