Triumphant Tweet

The Trinamool Congress claimed a major victory after Mamata Banerjees statement on Saturday that the UPA government had agreed to suspend its decision on FDI in retail

Triumphant Tweet

The Trinamool Congress claimed a major victory after Mamata Banerjees statement on Saturday that the UPA government had agreed to suspend its decision on FDI in retail. And in the publicity effort that followed,Trinamool MP Derek OBrien seemed to go overboard,turning it into a leadership example on Twitter. It was a solidly thought out rational view of ours, he tweeted and followed it up with a tribute: Did a certain lady in Kolkata do that job with elan this evening? Incidentally,he has been fending off some difficult questions on his partys extreme stand in the matter.

Spoke in the Wheel

Barely 24 hours after they were showcased at Information amp; Broadcasting Minister Ambika Sonis residence as new faces of the government to put forth its views on various issues of importance,the 11-member panel of spokespersons comprising young ministers were having a tough time fielding queries about their stance on FDI in retail sector. As West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared in Kolkata that the Centre had put its decision on hold,they were flooded with calls for clarification. Their common refrain was: Let me get a sense first. Some sought refuge in the fact that they were yet out of the Capital and so not in the know of the developments. Didi has certainly put a spoke in their wheel

Launch Pad

AN India posting for foreign diplomats is becoming an assured launch pad for good jobs. Recently,the German ambassador Thomas Matussek left for greener pastures as he joined Deutsche Bank as one of their top executives. His predecessor had left to become Germanys Af-Pak envoy. Former US envoy Timothy Roemer is also back in the campaign team of US President Barack Obama and is said to be eyeing an important position in the next administration,if the Democrats return to power.

Back Story

PRIME Minister Manmohan Singhs interaction with five newspaper editors on June 29 this year almost triggered a diplomatic row with Bangladesh after his candid off the record remarks were posted on the official website of the PMO and removed after Bangladesh lodged a strong protest. An RTI filed by this newspaper has now revealed that the Prime Ministers media advisor Harish Khare,who had then fallen into trouble over the issue,also sent a copy of the transcript to Congress president Sonia Gandhi as an explanation. Thank you for sending me a transcript of the Prime Ministers interaction with editors held on 29th June 2011, says Ms Gandhis crisp reply to Mr Khare dated July 4.

Back Allies

STRETCHED by its allies to maximum,the UPA is now down to waiting for Lalu Prasad to return to Delhi this week. In his absence,RJD vice-president and former Union minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh has taken a strong anti-FDI stand in the Lok Sabha. Insiders say Lalu is expected to dilute RJDs position once he is back in charge after being absent for most part of the session so far due to a death in his family. Similarly,the ruling alliance is hoping for better clarity on the five votes of Ajit Singhs RLD after the return of Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh,who is the lead negotiator in this pre-poll alliance talks.