THE much-deferred, much-speculated elevation of Rahul Gandhi as the next president of the Congress party can be expected sooner than later. The signal was picked up. In an aside from the parliamentary issues, the man himself aired his views and plans on the party restructuring. The internal elections will be completed in the next two months. His elevation will happen thereafter, before the Himachal and Karnataka assembly polls. At least, that was the unmistakable buzz in the Central Hall on Wednesday.
There were other indications to that effect. Former Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan on a visit to the old haunt, reeled out Rahul’s contribution in nurturing young leaders. “In the last few years, many young leaders have been groomed by our VP,” Chavan claimed. Asked why they were not visible during elections or otherwise, he retorted: “There has to be place for them — the old guard must make way for new blood, allow a smooth takeover.’’
Mulayam’s theory
Despite the government cautioning — the reason why an all-party meet was called on the India-China standoff — Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav peddled his ‘China has buried bombs and weapons in Pakistan to wage war against India’ theory in Lok Sabha, much to everyone’s consternation. A senior minister known for his mimicry skills, had been regaling others with stories on Netaji’s nuke bomb warning to the government. But after Netaji’s indiscretion, the minister looked rather grim.
Rajya Sabha TV head
Is the government in search for an RS TV helmsman? Well, along with Hamid Ansari his entire team, including Gurdeep Sappal, CEO RSTV, will be resigning on August 10. Venkaiah Naidu is already looking at options.
Smriti plays it safe
Though the I&B Ministry has been given to Smriti Irani as an additional charge, she may be formalised in the role. Much depends on how she conducts herself — whether she’s able to avoid controversy. Irani appears to be playing safe. Asked by a fellow MP if she’ll agree to ban Madhur Bhandarkar’s Indu Sarkar, she remained non-committal. Yet to take a briefing from her officials, was all she shared.