The power corridors of Delhi on Friday were abuzz with whispers on how elaborate efforts are being made to ensure that nothing "inauspicious" would happen during the Presidential nomination filing of Ramnath Kovind.
It is said that Ramanth Kovind was scheduled to file nominations early in the morning. However, since on Friday, the time between 10.30 am to 12 noon was predicted to be Raahu Kalam, top astrologers had to be brought in to find the most "auspicious" hour.
Buzz has it that a lot took place behind the scenes. BJP leader Amit Shah, who is said to be a staunch believer in astrology, consulted three of his "favourite" astrologers from Gujarat, who finally decided on the exact minute Ramnath Kovind should file his nomination papers.
And that is why Ramnath Kovind filed nomination at 11:56 am, in New Delhi. But there are other leaders as well who chipped in to make the arrangement an "auspicious" one.
It is said that Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who on Friday was seated in the meeting in Parliament House Annexe, went to the extent of planning on where and how Kovind will sit.
It is rumoured while Ramnath Kovind's introduction was being done, KCR went to Amit Shah and told him that as per Vaastu the position and direction in which Kovind should be seated at the time of filing his nomination.
He is believed to have said that Kovind be seated facing the North East as it is a good omen and will bring the Presidential nominee "good luck." Watching the close interactions of KCR from far, his arch rival Telugu Desam MP C Ramesh too then joined the band of well-wishers armed with "good luck charms."
Ramesh then gifted Amit Shah and Ramnath Kovind angavastram, which were brought from the Lord Balaji temple in Tirupati. Kovind was only too happy to wear it for few minutes.
OPV vs EPS: Who's the boss?
AIADMK (Amma) faction leader and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Edapati Palanisamy drove to Union Minister Anand Kumar's house on Thursday to affix his signatures on the nomination form. But on Friday early morning, Anand Kumar's private secretary went with the Presidential candidate's nomination form to O Pannerselvam, who is currently staying with Rajya Sabha MP, Dr V Maitreyan.
It seems this gesture has left the OPS camp elated as unlike EPS, who was made to drive down, Anand Kumar had to send his secretary over to EPS for getting his signature.
Meira is Lalu's choice for President
In the selection of Meira Kumar as Presidential candidate from UPA, insiders in Congress Party have revealed how Lalu Prasad literally forced the decision on everyone. The Congress leaders have hinted that Sonia Gandhi has distanced herself and the decision on Meira's nomination have been taken by the Left leaders and Lalu Prasad.
The word in the New Delhi gossip circuits is that the tug of war between Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad in the last six months has more to do with ego than anything else.
Buzz has it that Lalu Prasad literally screamed out and said that the CPM leaders should not project any other name except that of Meira Kumar - aka Bihar ki beti.
Lalu is believed to have even blackmailed the CPM leaders and Sonia Gandhi by stating that RJP will boycott the Presidential elections if any other name was floated other than that of Meira Kumar.
Lalu is believed to have said: "KhanttaKhanttasenikalna hai." He then went on shouting in Bihari-Bhojpuri against Nitish.
While on one side Nitish maybe battling a lot of political opposition, Lalu Prasad on the other has suddenly found himself stuck in one issue after another with both the Income Tax and CBI coming after him. It is rumoured that Lalu Prasad suspects that it is all Nitish Kumar's handiwork, who through Bihar Police got all details leaked to CBI and the media.
Not many takers for "Meira for President"
According to the Capital Buzz, the CPM leaders were apprehensive about the negative stories involving Meira Kumar That is the reason, CPM insisted on Gopalakrishna Gandhi. But Mamata Banerjee was 'dead-against" Mahatma Gandhi's grandson due to his role during her tenure as Speaker of Lok Sabha.
CPM leaders have been only too vocal about the corruption charges. They are believed to have told Sonia Gandhi about the charges against Meira Kumar that also involve the infamous bungalow grab. The controversy surrounding - 6 Krishna Menon Marg bungalow in New Delhi - is one of the most talked off in the gossip circuits.
The bungalow was given to Babu Jag Jiwan Ram in the 1970s, however, Meira Kumar has refused to vacate the premises stating that it was her father's house and it is a
memorial for her.
Interestingly during her tenure as Speaker of Lok Sabha, Meira Kumar, allotted this bungalow to her mother. BJP is bound to take this issue up during the Presidential poll and will turn into a controversial talking point.
Trouble, however, seems to be only brewing for Meira as it is rumoured that a few official from the Ministry of Social Justice, who worked with her are planning to hold a press meet in New Delhi to establish how Meira Kumar was against Baba Rao Bhimrao Ambedkar. There also leaders like Sharad Pawar leader of NCP, who have expressed their reservations.
Nitish Kumar also sent in a word to Sonia Gandhi before BJP announced Kovind, that Meira Kumar is a creamy layer
Dalit. She enjoyed the maximum plump postings in foreign country as IFS diplomat.
However, word has it that till now the opposition has been able to come to consensus only on Meira Kumar. A few other names which the UPA considered were D Raja, CPI leader. It was rejected by the CPI. Another name making the rounds was P L Punia, IAS officer. But that was also not a match to BJP choice of Kovind.
(R Rajagopalan is a senior journalist based in Delhi. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect those of Asianet Newsable.)
