Capital Buzz: Behind the scenes of the Nitish-Lalu Bihar politics
FollowThe Nitish Kumar resignation drama was scripted in New Delhi and implemented in Patna. Only few seniors from the BJP and JDU were privy to the ongoings. Others certainly smelt something was afoot.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi were in constant touch but through mediators. Amit Shah, the BJP President alone was knew about the political exchange. However, the real active player was none other than the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. On the day of the swearing in of President Ram Nath Kovind, a secret Jaitley-Nitish meeting was taking place at an undisclosed bungalow. Jaitley had kept the PM in the loop as well.
Similarly, Sushil Kumar Modi was in touch with Amit Shah. The hot line was said to be buzzing due to phone calls between Nitish and Modi. Meanwhile, Ghulam Nabi Azad, senior Congress leader and Arun Jaitley also used to have frequent meetings.
Political inputs from Congress were also gathered on Bihar, in addition to these, Intelligence Bureau participation was an added strength. But the main players who worked to distance Lalu Prasad’s RJD and JDU’s gharwapsi to the BJP fold were Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Nitish Kumar and Arun Jaitley.
It is interesting to note that the political media based in New Delhi were being briefed periodically by a senior Union Minister in the Narendra Modi cabinet about Nitish Lalu fall out.
The Army Tank in JNU
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi will have an Army Tank welcoming visitors to the University. The presence of the Army tank will constantly remind thousands of students who pass through this university about the great sacrifices and valour of the Indian Army,
Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar made this demand at a Kargil memorial meeting. Kumar also met Prakash Javdekar Union Minister for Human Resource Development and presented a letter. Javdekar, at once, quoting an example of a aircraft kept outside the Air Headquarters agreed that a tank should be kept at the entry point of JNU.
Javdekar in a letter to Defence Minister Arun Jaitley stated that the idea of showcasing a military tank to “instill nationalism” was first brought up in the aftermath of the February 9, 2016, Azadi Azadi Barbadi Barbadi slogans in the campus. The same event saw students alleged to have raised anti-India slogans and also the birth of political sensation Kanhaiya Kumar.
As expected, the left wing students of JNU are opposed to this idea, while ABVP and RSS supporting students unions welcomed this proposal.
New IB minister Smriti Irani makes a surprise visit to Doordarshan
Smriti Irani Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting is getting into the groove of her new ministry but the departments under her are certainly not liking it. She is reported to have made a sudden visit to the offices of the Doordarshan and All India Radio, and was seen suspending staff for being irregular and or inattentive. On a Sunday morning, in New Delhi she asked the senior official of Doordarshan to visit her.
With the official, Smriti Irani left for Doordarshan Delhi office in Mandi House. She went to a technical room where she found a senior official having a nap, she snapped a picture of his on her mobile, and asked the official to wake up. On the spot the minister demanded the sleeping official to be suspended. Orders were issued the following day.
Similarly, she wanted a list of the employees and detected some irregularities. Suspecting an internal muster roll scam, Irani has ordered an internal inquiry by the Additional Secretary to the government and a report as well.
She also plans to have surprise checks during her visits to the state capitals. Without prior notice she will be coming to government offices to ensure the staff members are doing their job properly.
