There is something that I need to tell you today. There is a Congress party. Then there is ‘Congress plus,’ which means the party’s alliance partners in any coalition. Then there is the phenomenon called ‘Congress Plus Plus,’ which includes the allies along with the so-called civil society, the rest of the opposition, lawyers, media, NGOs, etc. Obviously, it’s the ‘double plus’ status that makes the party bask in the glory. And ever since the culmination of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Congress party has constantly remained in this ‘double plus’ state of mind. The party considers itself an overarching umbrella that covers the entire opposition. Even spokespersons from various other opposition parties, who appear on TV news debates, are often conveyed the official line of the Congress party.
On the surface, the opposition has no qualms about being associated with Congress but they are still not ready to accept the party as its ‘Big Brother’. Whenever their friends from Congress interrogate them about this, they cite their old experiences with the party. However, the opposition is currently siding with the Congress in Parliament. Strolling through the corridors of Rajya Sabha, when a BJP MP asked his friend from Congress what will the party do when the opposition withdraws its support, the Congress stalwart replied that it does not matter whether the opposition sticks together or not, “this attitude of ours must be maintained.”
Minister of the household affairs
You might think high electricity bills only bother the middle class. Think again because even a woman minister in the Union cabinet felt unsettled by the bill generated for her house. She asked her assistant how to reduce the electricity bill. It was suggested that she install separate electricity meters on different floors of the house. When she discussed the idea with her husband, he replied, “You run the country; I will keep taking care of the electricity bill like before.” But the minister is also a homemaker. And no homemaker likes to waste even a single penny. The minister is still busy devising a plan to somehow reduce the bill.
Thanks, but no thanks
For BJP’s National General Secretary, BL Santosh, 1 February turned out to be quite a busy day but for no good reason. Let alone senior members and party workers, he had to give clarifications even to Union ministers. A rumour spread that 1 February is his birthday, which resulted in a flurry of well-wishing calls and texts. No matter how upset you get at people extending well wishes to you, you cannot scold them. So, Santosh kept acknowledging the wishes while also letting everyone know that it wasn’t his real birthday.
Seven days, seven turbans
Other MPs may not have noticed the changing colours of BJP minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s turbans, but SS Ahluwalia may have been paying full attention to them. Why? Because he does the same. BJP leader Sushma Swaraj was also known for wearing saris of different colours, which often matched with Ahluwalia’s turban.
Exhilarated by Pathaan’s success
An actor-turned-BJP MP is extremely elated due to the success of Pathaan. But he gets shuddered when he is reminded about controversies associated with the movie’s title, Shah Rukh Khan, the saffron bikini controversy, and Deepika Padukone’s old pictures with JNU students. He hasn’t praised the film in public but in informal interactions, he says that the film has provided support to Bollywood.
Also read: Gujarat win wasn’t just a face-saver for BJP. It also took care of party’s headline tension
End of the millet monopoly
In the last few months, there has been so much focus on coarse grains (millets) that it is being served at each and every party. Especially in the feasts hosted by the Union ministers or BJP office bearers, millets have been an essential part of the menu. While extending the invitations, it is especially conveyed that the menu will have millets. Well, now both the hosts and the guests are getting bored of this type of party. Since the PM himself has talked so much about promoting millets, they may not be entirely removed from the menus, but fine grains cuisines might also find space on the table. This means that millets don’t anymore enjoy the monopoly at feats organised by Union ministers and BJP officials.
By special arrangement with Dainik Bhaskar. Translated by Ram Lal Khanna and edited by Ratan Priya from the original in Hindi.