Insider

NAMBIAR EYES LONDON

A power(ful) struggle for the Nehru Centre in London is not something one hears about very often. However, when a number of top bureaucrats are retiring in quick succession, there is a scamper for post-retirement goodies. The cultural diplomacy job comes with a swanky apartment in the posh Mayfair locality of central London. What can be better than the greenery of the UK Capital to soothe your nerves! No wonder powerful circles in Delhi bureaucracy are pitching for civil aviation secretary Madhavan Nambair to be posted as the head of Nehru Centre. While Nambiar's friends are pushing their case with Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) president Dr Karan Singh, external affairs minister SM Krishna has other ideas. Instead of a retiring bureaucrat, the minister is looking at prominent writers and fellow Kannadigas UR Ananthamurthy and Sivakumar. Nambiar's friends are crying foul, saying that Kannadigas are being favoured. Having failed to hoist the civil aviation secretary at NHAI due to highways minister Kamal Nath's resistance, they do not want to let go of the London window.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE ACCIDENTAL SUICIDE

The Navy has pulled a cloak of secrecy over the recent death of a senior officer at INS Dronacharya, Kochi. The death of chief of staff, Rear Admiral S S Jamwal has become such a controversial issue that the civil administration is not being allowed to say anything publicly on it. Sources in Kochi have told us that Admiral Jamwal, proficient in use of guns had actually put the 9mm pistol to his head and shot himself as stunned officers looked on. The reason is not unknown. But the Navy has been keen to hush up the case as not only does it show the service in bad light but it will deprive his wife of family pension. Under Service Rules, the family of an officer who commits suicide is not allowed pension benefits. Admiral Jamwal's brother has been paralysed waist downwards for several years, after he jumped into a swimming pool with no water just days after his wedding.

The dhoti and the man

A very interesting incident occured when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh landed at the Lord Venkateshwara Temple atop Seven Hills after inaugurating the Tirupathi airport. As the PM started going around the temple seeking the Lord's blessings, an elderly gentleman in traditional Panchakacham (dhothi worn in South Indian style on auspicious occasions), approached him. The SPG immediately swung into action and blocked the elderly gentleman who was not wearing a shirt and sported a long tilak on his forehead in typical Vaishnavite style. The very next moment Manmohan asked the security officers not to bother the senior citizen and greeted him warmly. It turned out that the elderly person was none other than Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan! The Black Cats did not recognise him though he is a retired IPS officer and was present at the earlier functions of the Prime Minister. It seems the Governor was dressed formally for the functions and decided to change into typical Panchakacham to pray before the Lord. But for Manmohan Singh's timely intervention, a major protocol goof-up would have marred the Prime Minister's Tirupathi visit.

Cover or undercover politics

With assembly election round the corner, political temperature in Tamil Nadu is shooting up despite unexpected rains that are lashing the coastal State. Talks about political realignment continue to crop up despite denials from the main players and everyone is looking at the Congress and the AIADMK. Jayalaltha has been sending out mixed signals and there are clear signs that she is keen to ally with the Congress. On their part, her party MPs recently met home minister P Chidambaram and asked him to step up security for their leader who is fondly called Amma. On seeing 10 AIADMK MPs, including their Parliamentary party leader Dr V Maitreyan, landing up for a meeting with Chidambaram who also hails from Tamil Nadu, leaders of other political parties, especially BJP, are wondering if there is more to it than what meets the eye! Keep your fingers crossed to see if Jayalalitha gets more NSG cover. The gesture could lead to bigger moves. After all, its election time and anything is possible in politics, especially so in Tamil Nadu politics.

GOOD TIDINGS FOR GEHLOT

Ashok Gehlot might have led his party to victory against all odds last year but his entry into the chief minister's office in Jaipur was welcomed by bated breadth by state administration. Gahlot's stint as chief minister in the past has been associated with drought years in the state. As he began his new innings last year, the officials were not surprised that he was greeted by long dry spells.

This year, it was expected that same story would be repeated. The administration had braced itself for another round of drought.

Preparations to meet the crisis were on. But the weather God had different plans in store. The desert state has received substantial rains for a change this season. An indicator of good rainfall is the fact that only five districts of the state have reported rain deficit. Last year, 24 out of 33 districts were in the deficit rain category. The story so far appears to be heading for a happy ending of monsoon

season. At least 12 districts have received excess rain, according to statistics released by the irrigation department. These are mainly in the Bikaner divisions. The rainfall has been widespread indicating that the monsoon has been on the spot this time. The desert districts of Bikaner, Barmer and Jaisalmer recorded abnormally high rainfall. The situation was similar in Sikar which is not a desert district. Last year, no district had received abnormally high rain. Only Jhalawar, Bundi, Sawaimadhopur, Baran and Doongarpur are in the 'defecit' category.

It must have come as a great respite for Gehlot who was being seen as the drought man of Rajasthan. The good monsoon would help him address the farmers' issues. It has also raised expectation of people who feel that the state government now has no excuses to offer.

Rival BJP leaders play musical chairs to be CM

The BJP is faced with a major dilemma in Uttarakhand. Senior leaders of the party are wondering if the Chief Minister of the state should be replaced and if it will indeed help the party. According to party insiders, Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank would be on his way out soon if the BJP leadership acts on a report from a team set up by party president, Nitin Gadkari. The only trouble is, it has only been 14 months since Pokhriyal took over from Lt Gen. (Retd) B C Khanduri and another change would indicate deep trouble for the party in the state.

A two-member team of General Secretary Thawar Chand Gehlot and Sodan Singh constituted by Gadkari to examine working of the state government is understood to have pointed out large-scale corruption that has seeped into the state since Pokhriyal took over. In contrast, Khanduri's term was seen as clean and corruption-free, but internal politics forced him out. Now the BJP leadership plans to appoint Bhagat Singh Koshiyari as the next chief minister and Khanduri as the state BJP President. Koshiyari, who is also a former chief minister, is presently a member of the Rajya Sabha. He and Khanduri are staunch rivals.Hence the leadership believes that key positions for both may put an end to the rivalry and help the party. Concerned about his fate, Pokhiriyal recently met LK Advani to safeguard his seat but BJP veterans are keeping their fingers crossed!

Vora-Janardan team rises in AICC

At the Congress headquarters at 24, Akbar Road, one is more used to witnessing fierce turf wars and frosty vibes among leaders. So it is a pleasant surprise to see the party's wily general secretary and chairman of media department Janardan Dwivedi and its master of low-key operations Motilal Vora all melting under each other's gaze these days. One is witnessing a rare bonding between two Congress leaders. They are seen spending happy time together. Their promotion of the cause of the greens by sharing car to visit functions where both are invited is turning their colleagues green. The two are also often seen driving out of party office and Parliament House for destinations unknown. Jealous Congress leaders say that the two are promoting each other big time. While Vora wants Dwivedi as the Union minister, Dwivedi feels Vora is the best choice for the post of country's vice-president, they say. How cynical! Why cant people digest the fact that the two have actually become good friends.

LS Secy Gen seeks another extension

Lok Sabha secretary general PDT Achary's term is coming to an end. The administrative head of the Lok Sabha secretariat has been running on several extensions. The post is held by either a senior member of the civil service or the Lok Sabha secretariat. It is learnt that Achary, whose last extension has been mired in constroversy, is trying to seek another term. It remains to be seen if the political leadership will oblige him yet again. The appointment to the post is made by the Speaker in consultation with the Prime Minister and the leader of opposition.

CWG angst goes global

The Commowealth Games security preparations are now beginning to give jitters to offices of high commissions in Delhi. Daily informal and formal notes are being sent by British High Commission officials and Australian diplomats to their respective governments. So much so that BBC, which is sending a team of around 200 journalists, cameramen, production staff and others, sent a team of security officials to various Games venues and, last heard, they were a worried lot! They feel the Delhi Police’s chalta hai attitude might jeopardise the safety of their athletes.