Superstition Or Superscience?
Amid accusations of having saffronised higher education of the country, the Centre approves the teaching of astrology in universities.
Is the Government promoting a
science or a sham?

Science Or Sham?
Even as stargazers claim their knowledge has an empirical basis, scientists debunk it as mumbo-jumbo.

PM's Point Man
Sidelined two years ago, he has bounced back to become one of the most powerful ministers in the NDA.

Diverging Tracks
The Gormu-Lhasa railway line will significantly improve China's military logistics capability and exert strategic pressure on India.

Plane Pique
The Gujarat Government resents the CAG indictment for the purchase of an aircraft.

THE NATION: PRAMOD MAHAJAN

Meticulous Planner

He capitalised on his new assignment as parliamentary affairs minister, using it to the hilt while dealing not only with ministers but even opposition leaders. Admits Mahajan: "I learnt a lot about politics from this ministry. It made me shed my arrogance." He had the BJP's allies in the NDA eating out of his hands, doling out a little here and a little there. Like when he managed to retain front-row seats in the Lok Sabha for Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee and the Samata Party's George Fernandes even after they quit the Government. He didn't forget old friends and rivals from Mumbai.

Even opposition leaders acknowledge Mahajan's worth. During the recently concluded session of Parliament when the Opposition made it clear it would settle for nothing less than the prime minister's resignation, a Congress leader said: "Why demand Vajpayee's resignation? Ask for Pramod's removal. The Government would automatically collapse."

For Mahajan, the means don't matter, only the end does. He was responsible for raising funds for the BJP when it was in the Opposition till 1996. No money collector has ever emerged with his image intact and so it was with Mahajan too. It was this image problem that kept Mahajan out of all economic ministries for the past three years. Says an aide: "When we were in the Opposition, he was the only BJP leader fit for a financial task. But when in Government, he became bad news." Since 1998, Mahajan has excused himself from the thankless task of raising funds for the party.

However, he has been doling out favours both to his partymen and close friends ever since he was inducted into the Government. As I&B minister in 1998, several people close to the BJP and personally known to Mahajan were allotted programmes by Prasar Bharati even if that meant twisting the arms of bureaucrats. Even in the it Ministry he is said to have worked hard to ensure maximum benefits for his wider political constituency. When he took over as it minister, one of his oft-quoted remarks was: "Industry feels that India is doing well in the it and beauty sectors only because they do not have ministers."

Governments tend to reward loyalty over performance and the Vajpayee regime is no different. Mahajan's absolute loyalty to Vajpayee and his personal friendship with members of his family have indeed paid him dividends. But Mahajan wasn't always a Vajpayee man and it would be unfair to attribute his rising fortunes entirely to Vajpayee's munificence. As early as 1983, Vajpayee, then BJP president, had recognised Mahajan's talents and appointed him national secretary of the party. Later, when Advani took over as party chief, Mahajan proved his worth by being the right hand man during the controversial Rath Yatra in 1990.

In 1992, Advani rewarded Mahajan by making him a general secretary of the BJP. But once Advani announced in early-1996 that Vajpayee would be leader in the event of the BJP winning the Lok Sabha elections, Mahajan once again began to tilt towards Vajpayee. He befriended the prime minister's family, particularly Vajpayee's foster son-in-law Ranjan Bhattacharya. The friendship began at the 1995 BJP National Council meeting in Mumbai. At the meet, Mahajan lavished upon Bhattacharya, then a budding entrepreneur, the kind of hospitality that left many BJP leaders seething with rage.

The friendship continues. The Bhattacharyas celebrated their daughter's birthday at Mahajan's residence in 1998, months after Vajpayee became prime minister-and Mahajan has prospered. In 1996, he was the defence minister in the 13-day BJP government. Two years later, Vajpayee softened Mahajan's defeat in the Lok Sabha election by appointing him political adviser with the rank of a cabinet minister. Four months later Mahajan entered the Rajya Sabha and bagged a Cabinet berth.

In fact, the reshuffle was like a rehabilitation package designed for Mahajan. As various second-rung leaders like Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, M. Venkaiah Naidu and Rajnath Singh prepare to take over from Advani and Vajpayee, Mahajan seems to be the frontrunner once again. While those like Jaitley and Swaraj have to necessarily look for endorsement from other political and social quarters, Mahajan is quietly consolidating his base both in the Government and in his home state before the next general elections in 2004. But three years is a long time. In the topsy-turvy world of Indian politics, a lot could change in that period.

MetroScape

Looking Glass

Chennai Restaurant:
Beijing Blues

Delhi Contemporary Crafts: The Craft Workshop

Delhi Restro-bar: 4S