Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar is one of India’s most prominent diplomats. However, he considers Lord Krishna and Lord Hanuman to be the world’s greatest diplomats. BJP members are now discussing that while it is relatively easy to call Lord Krishna a diplomat, Lord Hanuman is universally known for his devotion to Lord Ram and his bravery. Only Jaishankar would know about Hanuman’s diplomatic credentials.
Raman Singh unfurls the Tricolor
Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh always wears a smile on his face. But this Republic Day, he seemed exhilarated. The reason was that he had got the opportunity to unfurl the national flag at the BJP headquarters. Although as the party president, it was J P Nadda’s responsibility to hoist the Tricolour, he was not in the city on the occasion. So, the responsibility was passed on to the party’s vice president, Raman Singh. Perhaps this was the first time in the history of the BJP that instead of the national president, the vice president of the party hoisted the flag at the national headquarter.
Who is the bigger turncoat?
In Bihar, the political fight between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his senior party colleague Upendra Kushwaha is at its peak. Now, verbal jousting has also come into play. How to ascertain the claims made by Kushwaha? He has a formula—whoever swears by their children is telling the truth. Nitish Kumar called Kushwaha aayaram-gayaram (serial turncoat). Kushwaha gave it back to him by saying that Nitish Kumar has been the chief minister of Bihar for 17 years and he has taken oath for the CM office eight times. Hinting that Nitish Kumar finds it much easier to switch sides.
Also read: ‘Use and throw’ part of Nitish Kumar’s work culture: Chirag Paswan
Chirag Paswan 2.0
Bihar’s principal opposition party, BJP has maintained complete silence in the Kushwaha vs. Nitish episode. The party was similarly tight-lipped during Chirag Paswan’s open rebellion against Nitish Kumar during the 2020 Assembly elections.
When Chirag was fielding candidates against Nitish’s JD(U), BJP did not utter a word. The party benefited from it and JD(U)was pushed to the third spot in the state’s politics. Now, the way Kushwaha and Nitish are attacking each other, BJP is sensing that this episode might turn out to be Chirag part 2.
The hot potato in Rajasthan
These days, the ALU is creating a lot of buzz in the Higher Education Department of Rajasthan. It has become a hot potato in the state. ALU, ALU and ALU! ALU from CMO to ALU in the Raj Bhavan. ALU stands for Ambedkar Law University. Now, what might be the reason for this hot potato-like situation? Well, that is a story for some other time. For now, you should know that there is no smoke without a fire.
There is still time…
The Bharat Jodo Yatra finally concluded in Srinagar. Rahul Gandhi hoisted the national flag at Lal Chowk and Mallikarjun Kharge did the same at the state Congress Committee office. While several leaders of the party were feeling relieved from the hustle-bustle of the Yatra, several big leaders were also upset. When Rahul started the final rally of the Yatra at the Sher-e-Kashmir Maidan in the middle of heavy snowfall, several such leaders who couldn’t reap political mileage during the yatra were saddened. Some other leaders who had a good run during the past 150 days were also disheartened to see their innings end. However, they say it’s not a problem as there is still time till 2024. They will score a century in the next innings.
By special arrangement with Dainik Bhaskar. Translated from Hindi by Ram Lal Khanna and edited by Ratan Priya.