Pre-Truth — snappy, witty and significant snippets from the world of politics and government.
Rahul Gandhi’s response to ‘Pappu’ jibe makes TDP happy
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is quite pleased with Congress president Rahul Gandhi — and not just for participating in the no-confidence motion debate initiated by the Andhra party. TDP leaders say they were impressed by his combative response to political adversaries’ ‘Pappu’ jibe. During the debate, Gandhi said people might hate him or ridicule him by calling him ‘Pappu’, but he had no hatred for them.
TDP leaders want to believe that Gandhi might have been inspired by Nara Lokesh, son of Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The TDP projected him as a ‘youth icon’ in the state but opposition leaders sought to make fun of Lokesh by calling him ‘Pappu’. Lokesh was quite disturbed by it earlier and even wrote to Google to not throw up his name when one searched for ‘Andhra Pappu’. However, recently he said it didn’t bother him anymore.
Rajya Sabha rises after Lok Sabha gives a miss to pay tributes to Mandela
Unlike previous years, the Lok Sabha didn’t pay a tribute to former South African president Nelson Mandela on 18 July, his birth anniversary. In the Rajya Sabha too, it was not on the list of business. However, senior Congressman and deputy leader of opposition Anand Sharma went to Vice President Venkaiah Naidu’s chamber before the session started and requested him to pay tributes as India has always shared excellent relations with South Africa. Naidu accepted the request and the house paid a tribute to Mandela. Naidu even thanked Sharma in the house for making the request. India and South Africa are also partners in the BRICS formation.
Rahul praises Randeep Surjewala in heartburn for senior leaders
At the recent Congress Working Committee meeting, party president Rahul Gandhi openly praised Randeep Surjewala, in-charge of the communication department. Gandhi specifically said that while other leaders are always creating trouble for Congress with their statements, only Surjewala defends the party. Gandhi’s praise caused a lot of heartburn among senior leaders who always look to be on TV.
CJI Dipak Misra is attending a lot of events these days
Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra is a busy man these days. He was seen twice last week delivering lecturers and attending events. He has more slated for the coming weeks. He even delivered the presidential address at an event organised by the International Law Association Tuesday. Some of these events, like the Krishna Iyer Memorial Lecture held on 10 July, were originally scheduled in November last year when the medical college controversy surfaced. Misra, who cancelled some events and requested some to be postponed, is now clearing his schedule to attend them all at once.
Chandan Mitra didn’t get access to PM Narendra Modi for almost a year
Chandan Mitra, editor of The Pioneer who quit the BJP to join the Trinamool Congress recently, took the drastic step after waiting for an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for almost a year. After his second term in the Upper House of Parliament got over two years back, he was not considered for re-nomination. Close to veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani, Mitra was not given any organisational responsibility either. He sought an appointment with the prime minister about a year back but didn’t hear from the latter’s office. As the writing on the wall was clear to him, Mitra decided to seek his political fortune in the Trinamool Congress.
Karnataka Congress jittery over pre-poll alliance for local elections
During a day-long meeting of Congress office bearers in Karnataka, several local leaders vociferously told the state party president Dinesh Gundu Rao that they will stand to lose if they partner with Janata Dal (Secular) in the upcoming local body elections.
Party leaders felt that the pre-poll alliance announced by Congress and JD(S) would weaken their hold and certainly hurt the party’s chances during the local body elections, especially in the old Mysuru region.
Deve Gowda looks for new JD(S) state president
JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda is hunting for a new state president. Among the frontrunners is Madhu Bangarappa, son of former chief minister S. Bangarappa. Recently, a remark by a party leader at a meeting chaired by Gowda caused a lot of embarrassment. The young leader said anybody who took over the post of JD(S) state president did not live long enough — be it Mirajuddin Patel or A. Krishnappa. Both of them breathed their last soon after being elevated to the post of the president.
Contributors: Apurva Vishwanath, Kumar Anshuman and Rohini Swamy.