|
Wishing
Well Delhi:
The ailing Sitaram Kesri had a surprise visitor last week. Sonia Gandhi quietly walked
into the once important but now deserted 7 Purana Qila Road residence to inquire about
Chacha's health. The 84-year-old Congressman virtually jumped out of his bed to welcome
the lady who ousted him in a bloodless coup some months ago. While Sonia talked about
Kesri's well-being, the former Congress chief expressed his concern over the health of the
party. "You must save the Congress and bring it back to glory. This is my last
wish," he pleaded repeatedly. An irritated Sonia then elaborated on the steps taken
in the past few months to strengthen the party. But before Chacha could discuss Bihar and
distribution of tickets, Sonia left saying she would see him after the polls and that he
should take care of his health.
The Rift Remains
Delhi: Bad luck seems to be dogging H.D. Deve Gowda these days. Take his attempt to
mend fences with Laloo Prasad Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav in order to end his political
isolation. In a bid to patch up with the Yadav duo after the acrimonious parting of ways
not long ago, Deve Gowda invited them over for dinner. A lavish spread was ordered and all
other appointments cancelled as he waited to welcome the RLM leaders. But Laloo and
Mulayam at the last minute decided against honouring the invitation. Deve Gowda waited in
vain for over an hour. Frantic calls to Bihar Bhavan and Mulayam's residence revealed that
the Yadavs had left for Patna and Lucknow respectively, leaving Deve Gowda to twiddle his
thumbs.
Red Hot Chilli PR
Delhi: It was a gracious exercise in media relations. BJP General Secretary and
party spokesman M. Venkaiah Naidu, who has just moved into his official residence, decided
to treat journalists to a sumptuous house warming lunch. The spread included large
quantities of prawns specially flown in from Visakhapatnam. Quite a change from the usual
BJP lunches which stand out for being pure vegetarian stuff. But this was Naidu's personal
affair, his family mingling with the invitees and gently ribbing him about how he needs an
image change, now that he's constantly on television. So while the guests gorged on chilli
hot Andhra fare, Naidu, who is into trimming and getting a new wardrobe, stuck to his
standard curd-rice. TV savvy as they say.
Hot Show, Cold Feet
Chandigarh:
High-flying chief minister he may be, but Parkash Singh Badal likes to stick to his public
image of a religious and sober politician. While he takes care to avoid cocktail parties,
last week Badal displayed his aversion for glamour too. The occasion was a glittering
fashion show organised by a state-run fashion designing institute and featuring top female
models. Though Badal had agreed to be the chief guest, he backed out at the eleventh hour
after inquiring about his exact role at the function -- to watch models in skimpy outfits
sashay down the ramp and crown the winning beauty. The embarrassed chief minister may have
developed cold feet but his family is not the one to miss the limelight. Badal had a
replacement in his culture-minded wife Surinder Kaur who sat through the high-profile show
marked by hoots and catcalls. For Mrs Badal, known as a power centre, it must have been
quite a revealing experience. |
