The political uproar over Rahul Gandhi’s statement in London will continue for now — this is what the well-informed are saying. BJP is saying that Rahul Gandhi should apologise. Rahul Gandhi is saying that whatever has to be said, will be said in Parliament. When will he speak in Parliament and what will he say if he does? As per rumour mills, Rahul Gandhi may say in the House that because world is one family, and BJP also agrees with Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, why obsess over London and Lucknow? How does it matter?
Time management
PM’s time management skills are amazing. After reaching Parliament last week, on the way to his chamber, he took out two minutes to get himself photographed with a group of children. Now understand the time management here — if the PM would have especially come out of his chamber to get clicked and then gone back, he would have spent 38 seconds extra. But he saved 19 seconds instead by getting done with the job while entering the chamber.
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What to say now?
These days, BJP leaders are not only ready to speak on Rahul Gandhi, but eager too. The party has also given a free hand to everyone to demand an apology from Rahul, and protest against the Congress leader. The lead was taken by party spokespersons. Then BJP general secretaries joined the chorus. But even before smaller leaders could become vocal against Rahul, party president J.P. Nadda himself reiterated the demand for apology. Now, when the party president himself has attacked Rahul, where is the need and space for the workers to speak.
BJP: Karnataka Natak Sabha
Karnataka BJP is again in ‘nataka’ (drama) mode. And Yeddyurappa started it all. He said, even before the election committee meeting, that all sitting MLAs would get tickets. After his statement, general secretary CT Ravi said that tickets are not distributed in a leader’s kitchen. Another leader said there is no guarantee even the CM will get the ticket or not. Incidentally, at Chikmagalur, some BJP supporters stopped Yeddyurappa’s rally. This was soon followed by a leader clarifying that the CM would get the ticket. It’s after many years that such an atmosphere is building in the state.
‘Wife vs girlfriend’
Congress MPs recently met Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The meeting went well amid the standoff between the government and the Opposition in Parliament. In the meeting, it is learned, Dhankhar said ‘I have love for Congress leaders’. In response, Leader of the Opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is heard to have said ‘It is not right to love us and marry them, Dhankhar ji.” And Dhankhar said this is called real love.
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Mahua’s complications
Things are becoming complicated for TMC MP Mahua Moitra. Recently, there was a huge campaign against her on social media, targeting her personal life. Moitra said that because she speaks openly against Adani is why the BJP is waging a Twitter war on her. It is being said that Mamata has asked Mahua to keep calm. The TMC chief has apparently said that when the party itself is not taking any anti-industry line, why is Mahua going her way? It is also being said that Mahua is in touch with Rahul Gandhi and may even join the Congress. Mahua may have denied these claims but now the question is — will she get TMC ticket in 2024?
Congress-free Gujarat
When Gujarat BJP state president C.R. Patil was asked about ‘target 2024’, he said his party will win all 26 seats in the state. But their real target, he said, is to forfeit deposits of all Congress candidates. You cannot take them (Congress) lightly, he added. Patil won his seat by nearly seven lakh votes, also leading the BJP to register a record victory in the assembly polls.
Bharat Agrawal is Executive Director, Dainik Bhaskar Group, and a columnist.
By special arrangement with Dainik Bhaskar.
Edited by Anurag Chaubey