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Nov 1, 1999
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Issue Contents
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Out of Sight
Chandigarh: Time was when I.K. Gujral and
Parkash Singh Badal were all praise for each other. Not any more. In Chandigarh last week,
the former prime minister lashed out against Badal's populist schemes and the financial
mess in Punjab. Gujral was particularly peeved that the science city project he, as prime
minister, sanctioned for Jalandhar in memory of his mother had made no progress. Gujral's
swipe was only to be expected after Badal refused to sponsor his candidature from the
Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat again. For Gujral, once hailed by Badal as "Punjab da
puttar", it's now a case of out of power, out of mind. Celestial Trouble
Delhi: BJP
leaders would give their left hand to join the Union Cabinet, right? Wrong. Last week, the
party's central leadership subtly sent hints to Kalyan Singh to step down as Uttar Pradesh
chief minister and "choose your portfolio" at the Centre. Kalyan, however,
flatly turned it down saying he would prefer to serve the state and party as an ordinary
worker. The central leaders smelt a revolt brewing and decided to maintain the status quo.
But one senior party functionary snooped around. And this is what he found: like most
politicians, Kalyan fell back on his astrologer in times of trouble. Only to be told that,
"Ab apka parakram hi apko is kursi par banaye rakh sakta hai (You've got to fight if
you want to save your chair)." And the party really got confused, for the time being
though.
Free Lunches Out
Shimla: Faced with mounting financial crisis,
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is prescribing the bitter pill of austerity. Earlier
cabinet meetings, however brief, would be rounded off with a sumptuous lunch. Now, his new
commandments for the ministers include: only working lunch at prolonged cabinet meetings,
no official parties, just two vehicles, no rent-free accommodation and only II-class ac
travel. Many deride these as cosmetic measures, but Dhumal's cost-cutting drive has taken
away much of the charm of being a minister.
Bihar's Bill
Patna: The election results might be a major
setback for RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav, but he is out to prove that despite all odds he
remains an earthy politician. Last week, he innocently asked a reporter of The Washington
Post whether the paper was published in English or Hindi. The bewildered journalist told
him that it is published only in English. Laloo's next question: who reads this newspaper.
It was a test of her patience, but the woman reporter did not lose her presence of mind:
"Even Clinton is a serious reader of our newspaper," she offered. That was it. A
beaming Laloo then turned to his supporters and enlightened them: "Her newspaper,
which is read by Clinton, has sent her to me and not to Vajpayee."
CONFESSIONAL
RAMAKRISHNA HEGDE, Lok Shakti founder, has taken
several ups and downs in a long political career. He was, however, shocked at his
exclusion from the new Union Cabinet.
Why were you dropped from the ministry?
I still don't know and nobody has told me as yet. George Fernandes gave the list on
behalf of the JD(U). Not only did he not consult me, but he just ignored me.
But you and Fernandes have been friends for long?
Yes, friends for several decades long. I have no idea why he ignored me. He wanted
to accommodate a large number of persons from Bihar. But he should have told me and I
would have gladly stepped down.
But one of your partymen was made a minister of
state?
Yes, Srinivas Prasad (minister of state) was contacted by Fernandes directly. And
Prasad was so upset that he did not want to go for the swearing-in ceremony without me but
I told him not to drop out because it would look bad.
Are you being blamed for the debacle in Karnataka?
Former chief minister J.H. Patel seems to have said so.
No, no. Patel only said that (that Hegde had trapped the JD into an alliance that
cost the party the votes) in a lighter vein. Patel spoke to me and is very upset with what
has happened to me. But our stand of supporting Vajpayee remains. We cannot go on changing
our stand.
Will you accept the post of deputy chairman of the
Planning Commission?
No, never. I had occupied that post 10 years ago. No, not even a governor's job.
Why, even if they want me to join the Cabinet now, I will not because there is something
called self-respect.
-Stephen
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