Rahul’s Batman Moment
Rahul Gandhi has been given a superhero makeover. Posters put up at select spots in Delhi by Delhi Pradesh Youth Congress chief Akshay Lakra hail the Leader of Opposition as “The Silent Guardian”, “A Watchful Protector” and “LoP Rahul Gandhi — The Real Life Batman.” Gandhi, for his part, has happily played along. Asked on Instagram whether he was Batman, he quipped: “Let’s just say that no one has ever seen me and Batman in the same room together.” Gotham may have a new suspect.
From Boardroom To Cabinet?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi may, for the first time, bring a prominent corporate figure into his Council of Ministers. The person being discussed has held a top position in a major South Indian corporate house and was particularly active during India’s G20 presidency and the New Delhi summit. With expertise in new-age technology and the semiconductor industry, he is seen as a possible choice to strengthen the government’s manufacturing push. The buzz in the power corridors is already interesting: is Modi looking beyond the traditional political pool for his next ministerial picks?
Makeover in Bangabhavan
West Bengal’s change of government has brought a change of décor—and menu—to Bangabhavan, the state guest house in New Delhi. Swami Vivekananda and Satyajit Ray have made way for Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, the Jana Sangh ideologue. The caterer has changed too. The Kolkata firm appointed under the TMC was replaced, reportedly without a fresh tender, by a caterer from CM Suvendu Adhikari’s hometown. The new caterer already serves several BJP MPs. So far, no complaints about the food.
Why Is Parliament Still Open?
The Monsoon Session may be over, but Parliament has not been formally prorogued, and that little technicality has set tongues wagging. Is the government keeping the doors ajar for another sitting, perhaps to push the much-discussed delimitation agenda? The numbers make the plot thicker. A two-thirds majority is needed for certain constitutional changes, and the government is reportedly working to widen its support. The 20 rebel TMC MPs who have moved to NCPI could help. Whether they provide the magic numbers, however, is another matter.
Durga Puja, Chinese Style
India’s cultural diplomacy is getting a festive twist in Shanghai. Pratik Mathur, Consul General of India, is gearing up for Durga Puja and Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations with the Indian community. The Consulate has already turned up the cultural volume: Chinese models have strutted down the ramp in Indian cotton and silk sarees, while a Raksha Bandhan event brought Chinese friends into the festivities. In Shanghai, it seems, a saree, a rakhi and some good food may speak louder than a diplomatic note.
20 Rebels, One Big Dilemma Twenty rebel TMC MPs crossed over to the little-known NCPI without resigning from the party that got them elected. Now the Supreme Court wants answers from them and the Lok Sabha Speaker, while legal experts expect the Tenth Schedule to come into play. Interestingly, Parliament still lists them as AITC members, despite separate seating. Rumours say some are knocking on Mamata Banerjee’s door. But Mamata has warned: not everyone gets a return ticket.
