IN the run-up to Lok Sabha polls, the media is favouring the Congress, particularly the English and electronic media. It is not only the BJP spokespersons, but also top leaders feel that it would be futile to woo these media houses, since they have their own pro-Congress mindset. Citing examples, they point out how when BJP prime ministerial candidate L K Advani received the lifetime achievement award from a TV channel, none other than Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had mentioned Advani by name, when asked who her role models.
Surprisingly, when the programme was telecast, BJP leaders claim this particular clip was cut.
Similarly, they say, even Chidambaram’s remarks on freeing terrorists after the hijack of IC814, was removed in the repeat telecasts. The home minister had supported the NDA, admitting that it was indeed difficult to take delicate decisions as it involved hundreds of lives. Even with another channel, the BJP has a grouse, that during cash-for-votes scam, they failed to fulfil the promise of showing the controversial CD, which showed three MPs taking bribes, allegedly from Congress managers.
Modi is Modi
VARUN may try to hog the limelight, but Narendra Modi continues to remain BJP’s star campaigner, given his oratorical skills and repartee.
That is why Modi was sent to Andhra Pradesh and may go to UP for campaigning, besides Maharashtra, and Orissa. Recently, he enthused the workers by making fun of the UPA government, which according to him, turns towards the US, instead of training its guns at Pakistan. Modi said Union home minister P Chidambaram compiled evidence and went to the US. “O…Ba…Ma… he cried in front of the US president”, which sent the audience into peals of laughter. Varun, who is trying to step into the shoes of Modi, cannot match him. In this case, Modi succeeded in driving home the point that the UPA was weak-kneed and was solely dependent on the US.
Modi knows where to draw the line, unlike Varun, who is desperate to hog the limelight. By his single fiery speech, Varun has closed all doors except Shiv Sena’s. He will, therefore, have to confine himself to the BJP.
Rapid migrations
Election season is also time for migrations.
But in a fast-paced world, even migrations are taking place so fast that leaders are often left bewildered.
AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh was bemused at the speed with which an RJD leader changed sides recently. Along with Lalu Prasad’s brother-in-law Sadhu Yadav and Ramai Ram, Jai Narayan Nishad from RJD came to be meet Congress in-charge of Bihar Sushil Kumar Shinde. By the time the Congress leaders could fix up an appointment with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Nishad had gone back to RJD.
Found unwelcome there, Nishad lost no time in switching over to JD(U).
