Politics over Israel delegation visit

The Patna visit of an Israeli delegation, headed by the country’s ambassador to India Alon Ushpiz, on Wednesday remained a low-key affair. The state government did not issue any news release or photo though the delegation met chief minister Nitish Kumar to discuss the possibilities of Israel assisting Bihar in horticulture and agriculture. he visit, however, sparked politics in the state. The Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, said while the Prime Minister was in Iran, the Prime Minister aspirant (read Nitish) met Israelis. Siddiqui also questioned the veracity of Nitish’s concern for minorities and his opposition to Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi. A senior BJP leader was tickled over the development. “Nitish tried to keep the meeting with the delegation a secret as if he was meeting the Gujarat chief minister. But Siddiqui should have known that the meeting of a foreign delegation with a chief minister has to be approved by the ministry of external affairs,” said a senior BJP leader.

Commissioner plays truant

Councillors of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) are claiming that the civic body has become sick. “It is not because of funds crunch or lack of infrastructure. It is so because the commissioner does not come to the office often on the pretext of illness,” said a councillor, stressing that his absence cripples the functioning of the corporation. The councillors of PMC have learnt to cope with new faces as PMC commissioner. The present incumbent is the seventh commissioner since 2007. “New faces in the office are okay. But this commissioner simply does not turn up,” said a veteran councillor.

Leaders’ might on Rajdhani

Three state Congress office-bearers were caught travelling on unauthorised tickets on Patna-bound Rajdhani Express in Kanpur on Wednesday night. “One of them was travelling on a ticket reserved in the name of a woman,” said the coach attendant. He said the Congress leaders threatened the travelling icket examiner when he talked about fine. hey told the railway official that their party ruled the country and the influence they had in the railway ministry. The ticket checker fled soon after. Passengers travelling on Rajdhani often complain about the hassles they face if their co-passengers happen to be politicians. “They politicians) not only travel with their sycophants who talk loudly n the night, they hassle the caterers for food,” said a leader, wishing that a separate train should be introduced or politicians.

Turncoats thrive in politics

Leader of the Opposition Abdul Bari Siddiqui gave vent to his frustration over a statement of the JD(U) spokesperson, Sanjay Singh, saying he had seen Sanjay as a sycophant of LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan. Senior politicians are amused over Siddiqui's statement. “If you observe closely, several JD(U) leaders praising Nitish Kumar now sang in the same tune for Lalu Prasad during the RJD era. That's how politicians grow,” said a senior Congress leader.