KEEPING TABS ON THE POLITICAL GRAPEVINE

There seems to be no end to the internecine war in the Delhi Congress. Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit’s remarks about Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi that he is “still not mature and needs some time” once again brought to the fore the turf war between her and current Delhi unit chief Ajay Maken. While Dikshit was quick to clarify, the damage had been done. BJP leaders cited her statement to launch a stinging attack on Gandhi . Her remarks also prompted a war of words between Congress backers and detractors on Twitter. To add to the fire, Maken was promptly retweeting all the posts against Dikshit.

The Shiv Sena had apparently offered the deputy mayor’s post and an assurance to the Congress that it will ensure the fall of the BJP government in Maharashtra in return for its support in its bid to capture power in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Some Mumbai Congress leaders were receptive to the offer but their enthusiasm was short-lived after the party high command rejected the proposal. The veto prompted Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam clarify that his party won’t the Shiv Sena as the two parties are ideologically poles apart. The drubbing in the civic elections has prompted a rethink in the NCP with Sharad Pawar announcing that his party will fight the coming panchayat elections in alliance with the Congress.

It was a sort of break from the past. Traditionally, the farewell party for the outgoing spokesperson has the incoming officer in attendance. But Saturday’s farewell for Vikas Swaup, the country s next envoy to Canada, was not attended by his successor Gopal Bagley. The reason: the office order for the new appointment was not issued by Saturday. But, the office order was issued on Monday, appointing Bagley as spokesperson, the most visible face of the foreign ministry and head of its largest division. The external Publicity division, headed by the spokesperson, has 80 people working in it.