Mulayam’s gaffe
SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav often ends up making hilarious goof-ups in the lok Sabha. On Wednesday, while attacking the US for maltreating Devyani Khobragade, Mulayam referred to previous incidents when other leaders were ill-treated in that country. “They abused (former Defence Minister) George Fernandes, (SP leader) Azam Khan, former president APJ Abdul Kalam, and that leader from Sharad Pawar’s party,” he said pointing towards the Treasury Bench. He then turned to Allahabad MP Reoti Raman Singh, who was sitting next to him, and asked, “What is his nameIJ” A visibly embarrassed Singh replied, “Praful Patel.” As Yadav continued, Patel tried to cover his face with both his hands.
Red-faced
At a function to release a documentary film to commemorate the golden jubilee of the CBI’s existence, the agency Director Ranjit Sinha tried thrice to spell out the investigative body’s tagline “Industry, Impartiality, Integrity”, but without success. Sinha could not recall the word ‘industry’ in his speech and subsequently gave up. Many of the CBI officers present on the occasion were naturally red-faced.
left without beacon
When it comes to compliance of the order of the Supreme Court, its Registry is all out to set an example for others. After the December 10 verdict of the apex court that allows only Constitutional functionaries to display red beacon on their official car, court watchers were wondering about the fate of red beacon-fitted vehicles meant for the SC Registrars. But the Registry wasted no time in stripping the vehicles of the status symbol red lights.
Sharad Yadav’s woes
Ask Sharad Yadav what it feels like being without the BJP. As convener of the NDA, he would command the respect of Opposition MPs, but things have changed now. On Wednesday, when he rose to speak on Devyani Khobragade row, several TDP and YSR Congress MP came between him and the Speaker. When his request to Andhra MPs to keep quiet did not yield result, he walked from his chair and told them, “Please do not come between me and the Speaker. I have to see the chair.” Nobody listened and Yadav returned to his seat quietly to resume his speech.
No Karuna to Jayanthi
It is well known that Jayanthi Natarajan helped Kanimozhi to enter the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu. It was Jayanthi who persuaded the Congress to extend support of its MlAs to enable DMK chief Karunanidhi’s daughter win the RS poll. Grapevine has it that Karunanidhi had promised to return the favour by supporting Jayanthi return to the RS when her tenure ends on April 2 next year. But after Karuna announced he’d have no relation with the Congress, Jayanthi could not count on his promise.
Some solace
As Tejas light combat aircraft (lCA) got initial operational clearance in Bangalore last week, Defence Minister AK Antony got emotional and said 30 years of frustration, trials and tribulations were now a thing of the past. However, he cautioned the scientists that it was only the semi-final. The real test will be when the lCA gets final operational clearance in December next year. But then to reach the semis from qualifying rounds is an achievement,” he said.
Hide and seek
After playing hide and seek for over two months, HRD Minister MM Pallam Raju finally resumed work from his chamber on the third floor of Shastri Bhawan. It was not that Raju had altogether stopped coming to the Shastri Bhawan to lodge his protest over Telangana. But instead of working from his office, he would use the conference room to attend meetings and clear files. The Minister also did not shy away from attending some official trips abroad. While the Ministers avoided his chamber, his staff had a difficult time. They could not take the liberty of not attending the office like their boss and had to be on their toes. Who knows when Mr Raju will have a change of heartIJ A staff quipped, “It’s difficult to understand why mantriji avoids the office when Rs 20 lakh was spent to take care of its Vastu.”
Bali and Doha
Vocal BSP member Naresh Agarwal recently had a tough time in the Rajya Sabha while speaking on the just concluded WTO meet at Bali. Referring to Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma’s speech in Parliament about development at WTO last week. Agarwal kept going back to Doha instead of Bali. When he continued to blunder, his party colleagues virtually chorused “Bali…Bali…Bali.” Finally, Agarwal picked up the clues.
Gir’s pride
Gujarat CM Narendra Modi seems to be on a winning spree, even when it comes to protecting the lions in his home State. In the midst of uproar over a Supreme Court’s directive on shifting some Gir lions to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh, comes the report that the lion home at Gir has bagged the best protected area award given away by the Sanctuary Asia wildlife magazine. The Gujarat forest officers, who had been opposing the move to shift the lions, are now walking tall claiming that their lions are indeed happy in their original home and do not need go anywhere else.