What happened after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar made a statement on population control? What is the political atmosphere in the state? What discussions are happening? Is it negative or just useless? Central ministers of the BJP wanted to know. After hearing all the versions, the Bihar BJP leaders were asked to run with a line—”Bihar me hahakar hai, jo sathiyaya wo Nitish Kumar hai.” There’s an uproar in Bihar and Nitish Kumar has gone senile. Meanwhile, Bihar’s Nitish Kumar experts are saying that the BJP has fallen into the CM’s trap. It’s all very confusing.
Coalition story
In Madhya Pradesh, both the ‘Buawadi’ and the ‘Babuawadi’ parties are contesting the upcoming assembly elections. The Congress is also in the fray. Although the Congress and the Babuawadi party are part of the INDIA opposition front, there has been a mudslinging competition between the two. Many believe this competition has benefitted both parties. At least they were in the limelight. The Buawadi party didn’t gain any particular advantage, so it invented an ideological reason for remaining in the shadows. In the BJP camp, a secretary has predicted that, in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, several members of the INDIA coalition will continue to support the BJP. Let’s see.
Yeddy power
A senior official of the BJP, who played a crucial role in sidelining former chief minister BS Yediyurappa in Karnataka, is said to have been dealt a subtle blow. BY Vijayendra, Yediyurappa’s son, has been appointed as the president of the BJP in the state. Yediyurappa is already a member of the BJP Parliamentary Board Committee. This is historic because, for the first time, a family in the BJP has been given two such important positions.
New hopes
The BJP’s decision to appoint Vijayendra as Karnataka president has rekindled hope among leaders whose family members were trailing in politics due to their parents’ high standing in the party. With six months left for the Lok Sabha elections, many new faces may emerge as candidates in the field.
Lousy gift
On Diwali, the employees in BJP offices received a gift voucher to purchase some products from the Khadi store. But the employees didn’t seem enthusiastic about it. Why? They say that it’s not because they are unhappy with it, but in comparison to the gifts the party members give and receive, their vouchers feel underwhelming.
Friends nearby
The area where you stay is important, whether it’s for residence or forming connections. Case in point: a spokesperson for the BJP organised a Diwali get-together for their acquaintances. Guests were shortlisted. Only those who lived within a few kilometers of the spokesperson’s residence were supposed to be invited. But something went wrong. Some nearby residents either didn’t receive the invitation or weren’t given it on time. And among those who did get an invite, most lived far away. When the matter came to light, the spokesperson said that he wanted to invite close personal connections from nearby areas. He had no intention of inviting people from the neighbourhood.
Also read: Mention Brahmins in BJP’s OBC meeting. Silence follows
Late manifesto
The BJP recently released its manifesto for the Madhya Pradesh elections. Big names attended the event. Two central ministers, who are contesting the elections, could not make it. One minister attending the event didn’t know why he was there. The state in charge wasn’t present either. And the general secretary somehow managed the situation. Even after the event had started, the hard copies of the manifesto hadn’t been delivered. BJP president JP Nadda had to work with a soft copy. Then ministers were made to give speeches to kill time. The printed copies finally arrived but by then, the show was over.
PA’s PA
Some senior and influential aides of the Congress leaders have hired personal assistants for themselves. People are complaining that when they call the original PA, the assistant picks up the phone and says, “Sir is busy”. Leaders of the second and third order say that only netaji (politicians) used to stay busy earlier but now even PAs have no time. The party’s high command was informed that some office bearers of the Youth Congress are out of the network coverage. When the top leadership asked to reach out to the official’s PA, a Youth Congress leader told him to call the PA’s assistant instead; only then there can be a conversation. He even provided the contact number.
Bharat Agrawal is Executive Director, Dainik Bhaskar Group, and a columnist.
By special arrangement with Dainik Bhaskar. Views are personal.