New Delhi: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was caught in an awkward situation at the launch of the Kannada version of a Sonia Gandhi-edited book on Indira Gandhi in Bengaluru’s Gandhi Bhavan.
DK, who got the book translated to Kannada, declared from the podium, “Don’t give the book to anybody. Whoever wants the book should pay for it. Otherwise, it won’t have any value….”
Someone on the dais reminded the deputy CM that he himself put up a board stating the book was “not for sale”. Realising his gaffe, Shivakumar still insisted that people buy the book, asking other leaders for an appropriate price. “So, either Rs 50 or Rs 100, how much should I fix for it?”
He then said the book was ‘not for sale’, but those present there had to pay Rs 100 towards the Congress office. Finally, he asked those distributing the book to take pictures of those who had already taken a copy and ensure that money is collected from them.
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Power-packed show of Ansari’s sons in Delhi
Even after the death of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, his family’s political clout doesn’t seem to have waned. Recently, a grand wedding reception for Ansari’s younger son Umar was held in Delhi, drawing prominent guests, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress MPs Imran Masood and Imran Pratapgarhi, and RJD MLA Osama Sahab.
Other Opposition MPs and MLAs from various parties attended the high-profile gathering. Grapevine has it that the family decided to host the event outside Uttar Pradesh, so as not to draw the attention of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly recently restored the membership of Ansari’s elder son Abbas after the Allahabad High Court quashed his conviction in a 2022 hate speech case.
Why Rahul got upset with Mumbai Congress leaders
Congress leaders from Maharashtra met the party high command in Delhi last week to discuss the upcoming BMC polls. Rahul Gandhi sought their opinions on the number of seats the party could win in the 227-seat BMC. Some leaders said around 40, while others pegged it below 30. That seemed to have upset Rahul.
“Why are we even discussing this when you can’t even win 30 seats? Don’t waste my time,” he snapped, according to those present at the meeting. The Congress once had a strong base in Mumbai. In the 2007 BMC polls, the party had won 75 seats. This number dropped to around 50 in 2012 and further to 31 in the 2017 BMC polls.
Postcard of pride for BLOs
With Booth Level Officers in several states complaining about excessive workload during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls initiated by the Election Commission in 12 states/Union Territories, Kerala has come up with an innovative initiative to keep their spirits high.
The chief electoral officer in Kerala has been roping in district collectors to reach out to BLOs, according to election commission officials. Idukki DC, for instance, has launched the ‘Postcards of Pride’ initiative in the Thodupuzha assembly constituency.
It includes delivery of personalised postcards, hand-signed by the District Collector, to all BLOs, BLO supervisors, and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) who have been working on the ground to meet the SIR deadlines.
One such postcard, in Malayalam, read: “Your contributions to the smooth functioning of our democracy are immense. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your dedication to voter list updating, field verification, and booth activities. You are the strength of our democracy.”
Another read: “Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to your work during SIR revision are amazing. Our entire district is indebted to all your efforts. You are not just an officer; you are the pillars of our democracy. Thank you very much for your unique contribution.”
Last Sunday, BLO Aneesh George, a school attendant by profession, died allegedly by suicide in his house in Kerala. His family had alleged that he was under severe work stress. Similar allegations were raised in Rajasthan and West Bengal, after two BLOs died allegedly by suicide in the two States in the past week.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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