How to bridge the split?
The split verdict on the 18 disqualified MLAs of the TTV Dinakaran faction may have come as a respite for the EPS-OPS camp, but it may prove to be short-lived. Therefore, moves are on to circumvent the situation and bring about a rapprochement between the two warring factions of the AIADMK. If the bu zz is to be believed, the BJP is pushing for the two sides to bury the hatchet before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. What might help the game plan is the overwhelming sentiment among MLAs cutting across party lines, whether it is the AIADMK factions, the DMK or the Congress. No one, it seems, wants an early Assembly election coinciding with the Lok Sabha polls.
Pranab @ Rahul’s iftar
Rahul Gandhi has squared it off by not only having Pranab Mukherjee at his iftar at Delhi’s swish Taj Palace hotel—after Mukherjee’s much-analysed sojourn to the RSS headquarters—but having him by his side all through the evening. Rahul was flanked by two ex-presidents on either side at his table, but there was little doubt who had all his ears—“Pranabda”, not Pratibha Patil. And guess what the deep conversation veteran Mukherjee had with the young Congress chief? On pollution in Delhi and the effects of climate change! Nothing political. Well, as the British say, the weather is always the safest topic. The reason Rahul had to tilt towards Mukherjee to catch what he said had more to do with his low volume. But there was no denying Mukherjee looked distinctly ill at ease, even though the iftar seemed to be more for
him than the real rozedars.
Post script
To an MP and an admirer he met two days after the iftar, Pranab Mukherjeee defended his Nagpur visit on the ground that Indira Gandhi, his political mentor, always believed no one was “untouchable” in politics and he himself truly believed dialogue was an important aspect of democracy.
PM’s fitness video
The short video Prime Minister Modi posted in reply to Virat Kohli’s fitness challenge, all decked out in black with an Assamese gomocha around his neck, evoked mixed reactions in social media. While many felt it was neither yoga nor aerobic exercise, the Congress chief panned it at his iftar, calling it “bizarre”. As Pranab Mukherjee refused to join in the banter, it was left to TMC’s Dinesh Trivedi to provide a response. Not satisfied, Rahul turned to Sitaram Yechury, asking him whether he wanted to take up the challenge. “Why pick on me?” the CPM general secretary quipped, laughing. “I’m an old man.” At 65, he’s two years younger than Modi, of course. But on social media, they posted photos not of HD Kumaraswamy (whom Modi had challenged) but of his father Deve Gowda, doing some intense Iyengar yoga.
RS: Deputy chair
With PJ Kurien’s tenure over, the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman’s post is up for a fight. The united Opposition is determined not to allow BJP/NDA to get the post. Having someone from TDP elected was proposed. Since Chairman Venkaiah Naidu is also from Andhra Pradesh, the idea was shot down. The Congress is keen to retain the post. But it needs to be seen whether it has to again cede ground to regional parties, like in Karnataka.
Mamata, Pinarayi converse
The current anti-BJP stance and strong opposition that the non-BJP states have on the 15th Finance Commission had Mamata Banerjee have a direct and long strategic conversation with Pinarayi Vijayan. Never mind if the TMC and CPM cadres are at each other’s throats in Bengal! The CMs’ meeting was organised at Chandrababu Naidu’s behest, but Didi held forth—“Together we must push the amendments!”
Santwana Bhattacharya
The author is Political Editor, TNIE.
Email: santwana@newindianexpress.com