Bandit
Blues
Delhi: She
may have ruled the ravines, but her once fearsome reputation as the Bandit
Queen did not deter three hoods from mugging Phoolan Devi near her south
Delhi residence. The MP's Tata Sumo was stopped by the pistol-wielding
youths who thrashed the driver and fled with her purse containing Rs
35,000. The former dacoit was helpless as the PSO who always accompanies
her had taken the day off. Surely, this is one incident she won't like to
narrate to her constituents back in Mirzapur.Secular
Postings
Delhi: Who
says the Atal Bihari Vajpayee administration has a communal bias? After
returning to power, the first gubernatorial appointment made by it was
that of M. Rajendran, a Dalit Christian, to Orissa. Harish Salve,
appointed solicitor-general of India, is a Protestant from Nagpur.
Additional Solicitor-General Altaf Ahmed is a Muslim. Maharashtra Governor
P.C. Alexander, given a five-year extension some time back, is a Syrian
Christian. Attorney-General Soli Sorabjee is a Parsi. The appointment of
Rajendran is particularly significant as Orissa had witnessed the gruesome
murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines, following which the BJP at
the Centre came under attack for being "soft" towards
Christian-baiters.
Babudom Logic
Bangalore: Karnataka
Chief Minister S.M. Krishna is desperately trying to emulate his Andhra
Pradesh counterpart N. Chandrababu Naidu. So at a seminar on electronic
governance in Bangalore -- attended mostly by bureaucrats -- he called for
greater transparency in government functioning. "The public should
know what's happening," exhorted Krishna. But no sooner had the chief
minister left after the inaugural address, his bureaucrats promptly shut
the doors on the media. As one babu quipped: "Transparency is fine
for a politician but not for the bureaucrats."
Friendly Rivals
Bhopal:
Madhya Pradesh is known for the bonhomie among politicians of rival
parties. Chief Minister Digvijay Singh in fact has instructed his
officials to accord priority to requests of opposition MLAs. So it was not
surprising when newly inducted Union Rural Development Minister Sunderalal
Patwa hosted a dinner for members of Digvijay's Cabinet in Bhopal last
week. It was a goodwill gesture on the part of Patwa who has been chief
minister of the state twice. Not to be outdone, Digvijay drove to Patwa's
residence, picked up the Union minister and escorted him to the dinner
venue personally.
CONFESSIONAL
PRATIBHA
BHARATHI,43,
is a five-time MLA whose father and grandfather were also legislators. A
Dalit, she is the first woman Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly.
You were minister for many years. Why
did you accept this?
I have been a minister since 1983 but this is a rare opportunity. Any
MLA can become a minister but not everyone can have the honour of becoming
the presiding officer.
Do you feel there'll be less pressure
on you as Speaker than as minister?
As minister there is little time on one's hands, what with the flood
of visitors and those seeking favours. But as Speaker I will be busy only
when the House is in session and can, therefore, find more time for my
constituency and take better care of my children.
What is it that you like most about
this job?
It is a bit early to talk about that but I would like to conduct the
House carrying everyone along.
The opposition Congress had demanded
that you resign from your party on being elected Speaker.
When I am confident of doing my job in a non-partisan manner, why
should I resign?
The state Assembly has witnessed
raucous scenes, with the Opposition pulling out microphones and storming
into the well of the House. How will you cope with incidents like these?
The performance of the members during the inaugural session has given
me hope. Besides, the leader of the Opposition has given me an assurance
(about his MLAs).
Even in the Lok Sabha, the deputy
speaker's post has gone to the Opposition. Why not here?
I cannot say anything on this. On certain things, the Speaker and
deputy speaker have to remain tongue-tied.
-Amarnath
Menon |
