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Defensive
Circle Delhi:
The idea was to have a group of non-government experts to aid the newly created National
Security Council (NSC). But critics complain that the National Security Advisory Board
(NSAB) is packed with retired officials or people who have worked closely with the
government in various advisory roles. Some like former foreign secretaries Jagat Mehta and
M.K. Rasgotra retired 15 to 20 years ago. There is another surprise. Well-known defence
strategist K. Subrahmanyam, a former IAS officer who is a consultant editor with a daily,
first called the NSC a "dead mouse" but in a change of heart accepted the
convenorship of the NSAB. Observers scanning the Delhi-centric list are struck by two
things. First, that the BJP's own defence advisers have been kept out of it. Second, the
list appears suspiciously similar to a lunch group called the Saturday Club that meets at
the India International Centre.
Choppy Ties
Ahmedabad: When former
Rajasthan High Court judge Anshuman Singh took over as Gujarat governor early this year,
Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel had no idea that he would rub the state Government the
wrong way. After all, Singh had been recommended by BJP stalwart Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.
But friction between the governor and the state Government is becoming visible now.
Apparently, Singh's frequent demand for the state Government helicopter has even forced
rescheduling of Patel's itinerary on occasions. Another issue is the governor's penchant
for publicly airing his not-so-charitable views on the Government. The matter was even
taken up at the top level in the party. So it was not surprising when recently Singh,
sharing the platform with Patel at a function, took a sarcastic dig in his speech: "I
air my views freely as I am not a politician. But people don't appreciate it. So I am
going to restrict myself ." Few were in doubt as to who the comment was directed at.
Jail Benefits
Patna: The prisoners of
Beur Central Jail are pleased to have a "VIP inmate" amongst them. Even before
Laloo Prasad Yadav entered the newly constructed prison, which incidentally was
inaugurated by him, the authorities gave it a hurried facelift -- missing electrical
fittings were replaced, choked drains declogged and the medicine stock of the jail
hospital replenished. A day after his arrival, the jail campus was made spick-and-span as
never before. The attitude of the jail staff too underwent a sudden change. Laloo, of
course, did his bit by distributing blankets to fellow prisoners. Life has become so easy
for the jail inmates that they must now be praying that Laloo is denied bail so that he
remains with them for some more time.
Self-flaggellation
Delhi: The general body
meeting of BJP parliamentarians -- held every Tuesday in the Parliament annexe whenever
the House is in session -- witnessed some intense soul-searching last week. Among the
leaders who took part in the post mortem of the party's humiliating defeat in the assembly
polls was Uma Bharati. The firebrand MP from Khajuraho directed her ire at Prime Minister
Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying that the timid policies of his Government were responsible
for the rout. Vajpayee retorted that it was not true. But when Bharati persisted with her
argument, Vajpayee raised his voice and told her that she was totally wrong and that she
should now sit down. The stunned silence was broken only when the next speaker rose to
speak. |
