Is BJP taking BSP’s rejects?
SECURITYMEN TOO TURNING SAFFRON
THE BJP’s eagerness to lap up leaders from the Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh is now turning into a joke of sorts. When Mayawati stated that the BJP is accepting her “rejected maal”, everyone thought it was a case of grapes being sour. But the BJP took not only the cake but the entire bakery this week when it inducted Padam Singh, Ms Mayawati’s former security officer. A veteran leader remarked, “After leaders from the BSP, we are now importing security officers and next in line will perhaps be former drivers and cooks of Mayawati.”
Mr Singh, now a retired police officer, was Ms Mayawati’s personal security officer (PSO) since she first became the chief minister in 1995. Like all PSOs, he enjoyed her confidence and was privy to all political dealings that took place. Mr Singh was one person she blindly trusted.
CAUGHT IN OWN TRAP
ORISSA CHIEF MINISTER and BJD president Naveen Patnaik did not know the strategy he had devised a few hours before the Monsoon Session of the Assembly began to ward off Opposition attacks would backfire. Apparently, being apprised by intelligence sleuths that the Opposition Congress and the BJP had made concrete plans to expose the treasury benches on certain issues, he asked the party’s young MLAs to ensure that the rival lawmakers did not get such opportunities. Some young MLAs who have alleged links with mafia elements decided to disrupt the proceedings to be in the good books of the boss. They were so excited that when the national anthem was played, they started shouting slogans against the BJP and Congress. The Opposition seized the occasion and alleged that ruling party lawmakers had shown disrespect to the national anthem. The Opposition sought an immediate apology from the CM. With no option left, the BJD immediately tendered an apology and shelved its plan.
TICKET FIRST
AN AAP leader, Kanwar Sandhu of Punjab, runs an online show for NRI Punjabis who can call and discuss various issues about Punjab. Recently, when Mr Sandhu was discussing the current position of political parties in Punjab, a lady called from Canada to air her views and participate in the programme.
The lady talked about various social issues affecting Punjab and how they should be addressed. However, in her parting comment, the lady said that how she would like to see Mr Sandhu in some prominent position, like a chief minister or at least home minister.
Embarrassed, Mr Sandhu told the lady: “Please be careful while making me a chief minister, take care that I do get the party (AAP) ticket.”