Bihar
In High Spirits
Ever since prohibition was implemented in Bihar in April, Nitish Kumar has been speaking elaborately on the advantages of being a teetotaller. Now when Nitish starts speaking on the issue, many of his alliance colleagues get bored. “He is in such high spirits permanently without drinking. Imagine how much he would speak about prohibition if he empties a bottle,” quipped an RJD leader.
Caste Ouch
The new chief of BJP’s Bihar unit Nityanand Rai made a slew of statements after taking over from Mangal Pandey to make his presence felt. One of his outbursts landed him in acute embarrassment. Rai, who is from the OBC Yadav community, said the BJP will bring back Yadavs from RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s influence. Rai soon denied that he was picked for the post due to his caste origins. An infuriated Deputy CM and RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav, who is the RJD chief’s son, said, “Rai should thank Laluji as it was due to him that BJP chose him as the state chief.”
Harangued by Hoi Polloi
Nitish Kumar began a fresh dialogue with the public and called it ‘Lok Samvad’, unlike the previous ‘Janta Kay Durbar May Mukhya Mantri’. But the ‘Lok Samvad’ turned a headache for Nitish and his bureaucrats on Day One. A villager started speaking on why the government should promote electric flour grinders as the flour available in the market was not tasty enough. He spoke for 15 minutes. “We have to change the format of this programme to prevent such unwarranted lectures,” said a flustered bureaucrat.
West Bengal
Didi’s Call
Trinamool Congress chief and west Bengal CM supremo Mamata Banerjee had called CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury for a united fight against demonetisation. However, with the Opposition Left bringing in a no confidence motion against her government in the Assembly, Mamata said her motive of bringing all anti-BJP parties was defeated and she would never call any CPI(M) leader again, including Yechury, for discussing key political issues.
Mamata’s Lift Glitch The Number
1 VIP lift used by mamata Banerjee in the Secretariat keeps going out of order despite being repaired. Officials in the Secretariat are worried over the recurring glitches and fear that someday they will have to face the wrath of the chief minister and be accused of hatching a conspiracy against her.
Punjab
Badal’s Birthday
Five-time CM Parkash Singh Badal turned 89 on Thursday, becoming the country’s oldest serving CM. At the Moga rally organised to mark his birthday and for the Akali Dal to sound its poll bugle, Badal was greeted by his family and party leaders. He was born on December 8, 1927, in Abul Khurana village near Malout in Punjab’s Muktsar District. He has been CM from 1970-71, 1977-1980, 1997-2002, 2007-2012 and 2012 onwards. He has been in power continuously since March 2007.
Clear Message
Life-size cutouts of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) patron and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal were placed along roads leading to the party’s Moga rally. Posters of SAD president and Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal were missing. The party is counting on the “charismatic charm” of the old man to form a government third time in a row.