Modi biopic
The MPs from the treasury benches had one evening engagement on Wednesday were not willing to miss — the screening of a film on the Prime Minister. Made by Marathi film-maker Magnesh Hadawale, the film traces the life and inspirations of a young boy Narendra and his growing up years in Gujarat’s Vadnagar. How a book on Swami Vivekananda lands in the hand of Narendra or little Naru and changes his life and world view. The film was screened at Parliament’s Balyogi auditorium. On Tuesday a special screening was organised at the Rashtrapati Bhawan for President Ram Nath Kovind.
Maratha quota
With Maharashtra burning over the issue of reservation for the Maratha community, could the Maratha strongman be silent? Sharad Pawar who issued a lengthy statement on Tuesday advising BJP CM Devendra Fadnavis to open dialogue to calm down the situation, on Wednesday squarely blamed the CM’s provocative statements for the protests turning violent. The Maratha Kranti Morcha called off it’s bandh on Wednesday, after a day of sporadic violence. Maratha’s comprise over 30 per cent of the vote in Maharashtra, no government therefore can ignore them.
Bills passed
Both the houses of Parliament have been legislating in a welcome departure from the past few sessions. No-confidence motion helped. The “opposition could vent” its angst, “we could win another vote,’’ Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar quipped. For once, the opposition is not entirely disagreeing. The Congress, of course, feels much of the legislative business is of UPA vintage, so no reason why it should not support. In the backdrop of Vijaya Mallya’s impending extradition, Rajya Sabha for instance passed Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill. Mallya was a member of the Upper House. The Lok Sabha meanwhile had a short duration discussion on flood and drought in various parts of the country.