Papa never forgets dear daughter

Film star and BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha never fails to mention about his daughter Sonakshi Sinha in political functions.

At a BJP’s function held in Patna, he told the audience he was supposed to be in Canada to attend the IFAA award where his daughter was expected to receive the best debutant award. “Sonakshi is Bihar's daughter and bringing laurels for the state. But I though the function in Patna was more important than the one in Canada. I left the show because of this function,” he said. “It appears that Shatrughan Sinha will later introduce his daughter into politics and is mentioning her name and reminding the BJP leaders that he is dedicated to the party,” a BJP leader said.

Darbar relief

The burden on the bureaucrats was slightly less in the past two weeks because the janata darbars of chief minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi remained suspended. Last Tuesday, Modi was in Delhi for a meeting. As a result, his janata darbar was suspended. This Monday, chief minister Nitish Kumar was down with viral fever and called off the janata darbar. The janata darbar held two weeks ago at 1 Aney Marg saw dwindling crowds because of heavy showers across the state. “After a long we have had a peaceful Tuesday and Monday,” an official said. Former chief minister Lalu Prasad had initiated the janata darbar during his regime but lost interest after a month. Officials are hoping Nitish would also start losing interest in janata darbar after some time.

Cops in race

Some senior IPS officers, including director-general of police (DGP) Neel Mani, additional director-general Raj Vardhan Sharma and director general (homeguards) U.S. Dutt, due to retire this year seem to be in contention for a hot seat - a member's post in the state human rights commission. It became vacant because of the death of R.R. Prsad, the former DGP of Bihar. The police headquarters officials believe chief minister Nitish Kumar would select one of the senior IPS fficers for the post having the status of a state minister. “It's becoming sort of musical hair competition nd everybody is guessing who will get the hot seat,” said a senior officer.

Extortion threat to ‘poor’ MLAs

There has been a spurt in extortion threats to legislators. Recently, two BJP MLAs Vinod Kumar Singh and Vinay Kumar Sinha received extortion demands. “Most of them turn out to be hoaxes and are made to get some other person in trouble because they know police would react fast if the victim of the threat happens to be an MLA,” said a senior IPS officer. A section of the MLAs is mourning the fact that they are still the target of extortionists. “Perhaps the extortionists do not know that chief minister Nitish Kumar has winded up our annual development fund of Rs 1 crore. They should target MPs, who still get s 5 crore a year under the MPLAD schemes,” said a ruling party MLA jokingly.