Bajwa proposes, Congress disposes
It seems hard time for Punjab Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa.
Things are not going Bajwa’s way. Anything he or his aides propose ends up in disappointment for him, or embarrassment for the party. It all started with his close aide Sukhpal Khaira’s move to unfold the alleged shady land deals of SAD leader NK Sharma. It ended up with accusations being levelled against Bajwa’s entire family. Bajwa’s demand for CBI probe into Rs 6,000 crore drug racket raked the controversy over his alleged involvement in the menace. A letter written by former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on his alleged involvement surfaced. Even before Bajwa aired his intentions to move the High Court for a CBI probe in the matter, another Congress leader Jagmeet Brar and an accused filed a petition for the same. And when Bajwa finally filed the petition, it was returned with technical objections. To make the matters worse, Bajwa’s call for State-wide chakka jam received lukewarm response, especially in Mohali where he was leading the protest. Mr Bajwa, perhaps it is time to wait and watch, rather than lead and lose.
AAP brings fear to BJP
The entry of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Chandigarh political scenario seems to have set alarm bells ringing for city Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Out of power in Chandigarh for more than a decade, the city BJP leaders felt ill at ease as the maiden rally of AAP was thronged by a large number of city residents. As the AAP rally dominated the front pages of local newspapers, the BJP pushed the panic button on AAP. Not only this, some city BJP leaders even called up mediapersons to confirm the residents’ response to the rally. A day later, BJP leaders even went on to say that the ugly reality of AAP should have been exposed instead of making their rally, a front page news story. Now, that seems like a classic case of sour grapes.
Extreme weather reduces man-animal divide
The extreme cold conditions, accompanied by incessant rainfall in Chandigarh have reduced the man-animal gap, at least in seeking some warmth, whatever the source may be. The street urchins, vagabonds and street dwellers who at times dwell at any road side shade available to them are now getting some unusual visitors, almost at a daily basis in extreme cold conditions. Earlier it used to be dogs seeking shelter from the chill but lately simians also have started slipping by their side. Street people sleeping in and around PGI and PU sometimes wake up to find a baby monkey, sticking by their side, enjoying the warmth of the blanket or quilt which has been donated by someone. The mother monkey has perhaps become wise and sends the baby monkey to seek warmth besides a human being in a shelter. After all, the homo sapiens evolved from simians at one point in evolution.
(Contributed by Monika Malik, Nishu Mahajan and Nitindra Bandyopadhyay)