What will happen to “senior” Congress members now? This question is starting to arise among them, and some have already begun to voice their concerns. In Madhya Pradesh, Congress has announced candidates for 229 out of 230 seats. Among them, 99 are under the age of 50, 178 under 60, 30 are women, 62 from the OBC category, 34 from the SC category, and 48 from the ST category. This means that “senior” Congress members have been left out. Now, these seniors are saying, “Sardar, we’ve been loyal to you for our entire lives.” However, Sardar, meaning the high command, has not yet responded to this. But those who have spent their entire lives in the Congress know the importance of remaining silent. Besides, they also remember the next line from the movie Sholay. Therefore, on the surface, everything seems calm and peaceful.
Where’s the meeting
Congress party’s core is considered more democratic than the BJP’s. Everyone knows what their core group is and where they meet. But it becomes difficult to identify the core group and their meeting venues in the BJP. Just look at the list of candidates for Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. There was a rumor that the Central Election Committee meeting would not take place until after the core group meeting. As soon as it was confirmed that the core group meeting was happening, supporters of ticket aspirants flocked to the BJP headquarters. It was discovered that the meeting was taking place at the party president’s residence. The crowd rushed there. But there was silence. Then it was rumored that the meeting was at Prakash Javadekar’s house, so the same crowd headed to his residence. That too turned out to be false.
It was later revealed that the meeting was happening at Pralhad Joshi’s house. By the time supporters reached there, the meeting had already concluded. The dejected crowd wanted to find out who leaked the information about the meetings at Javadekar and Nadda’s. It was learned that the meetings did took place at their homes, but the issue they discussed was not disclosed.
Now, supporters of ticket aspirants are running around, confused. Who is to be blamed?
The Number Two
After the BJP’s Central Election Committee meeting, who is the first to leave the party office? What is the protocol in this regard? Well, the protocol is that the Prime Minister is the first to leave. Wrong answer. The Prime Minister leaves later; Rajnath Singh leaves before him. Why is that? If the Prime Minister stays at the party office, and a member needs to exit, then according to the protocol, it’s the turn of Number Two in the government to go first.
Virtual core group
Speculation is rife in the BJP about a well-performing minister attending the core group meeting for Rajasthan. And a surprising name has emerged. The leader has nothing to do with Rajasthan elections and is observing preparations for polls in another state.
I want this and that too
Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is actively preparing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Supporters have been tasked with creating slogans and chants to highlight his image. Supporters write slogans and take them to the party for approval. However, most of the slogans or chants, it is being said, sound similar to the ones given by Prashant Kishor. Consequently, they are being rejected. It is also being said that these slogans only mention Nitish and not the RJD, so they don’t work. Now supporters are confused. What should they do? Highlight Nitish Kumar, include the RJD, and make the ideas original too? That’s too much to ask in the name of creativity?
Comrade receives greetings
Former chief minister of Kerala, V.S. Achuthanandan, turned 100. Many people, including the Prime Minister, extended their greetings. Sources say that he received more greetings from non-Leftist leaders than from the Leftists. Among those who sent congratulatory messages is senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani.
Sushma Swaraj at parents-teachers meet
Sushma Swaraj’s daughter, Bansuri Swaraj, visited the BJP office one day. Many people gathered to meet her and shared their memories of the late party leader. Bansuri revealed that during her 12 years of school life, her mother would personally go to school to collect her report card. She would stand in line like ordinary parents and not only listen to the teachers’ guidance but also follow it diligently. In her role as a mother, she never let her political responsibilities dominate her daughter’s education.
Bharat Agrawal is the Executive Director, Dainik Bhaskar Group, and a columnist.