Solo show psets BJP

The Bihar Divas celebrations drew cold response from the BJP leaders in Patna. Initially, they sounded enthusiastic. But later they developed cold feet. When chief minister Nitish Kumar released the Bihar Gaan (song), most BJP ministers were absent. It became quite clear that the celebrations were intended to be a Nitish Kumar show. Several posters and banners were installed in the state capital and all of them had the picture of Nitish Kumar. Not a single had the photo of Sushil Kumar Modi,” said a senior BJP leader, adding that Nitish had made the celebrations in Delhi also a solo show and did not invite a single BJP leader. “Even the posters and banners around Gandhi Maidan had the pictures of Nitishji and Bihar Chamber of Commerce president O.P. Shah,” said another BJP leader, stressing that the “insult” was hard to take after Nitishji snatched a Rajya Sabha seat.udget blackouthe day the railway budget was presented in Parliament, it was beamed on TV monitors installed at the metro stations in Delhi. But a passenger was to see Bhojpuri songs on the TV monitors at Patna Junction when the budget was being tabled. “After having three consecutive railway ministers one would have thought that Patna would have a more ‘metro outlook’. But the railway authorities here appear to prefer the small town ways,” he said, adding that it appeared that Patna Junction would remain the same.

Dusty Divas ood bowl

Foodies were a frustrated lot at the main venue of the Bihar Divas celebrations. “Last year, the food court was at the venue of the celebrations. This time, it was at least 500m away. Having to walk the distance was not the only problem. There was lot of dust near the food court,” said a disappointed lady. Another grumbled that litti chokha stalls dominated the food court. “As if it is the only item eaten by Biharis,” she remarked. The food court is not the only example of mismanagement during the show. A number of Bihari officials in Delhi grumbled about not getting any invitation.

Scary VVIP son

Vendors doing business outside Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park appear to be terrorised by a VVIP’s son. “This youngster lives in Delhi. Whenever he is in Patna, he takes food and other eatables from us but never pays. He owes virtually every vendor Rs 500 to Rs 1,000,” said a vendor, adding that none of them dare to remind him of the money he owes to them. “He should remain in Delhi. God, make him a permanent citizen of the national capital,” prayed another vendor. They stressed that relatives of VVIPs in Patna had the habit of taking everything for free. A goldsmith locked his shop and fled when he learnt a daughter of a VVIP was going to his shop. Reason: her previous purchase of about Rs 2.5 lakh had remained unpaid for a year.

Budget blackout

The day the railway budget was presented in Parliament, it was beamed on TV monitors installed at the metro stations in Delhi. But a passenger was to see Bhojpuri songs on
the TV monitors at Patna Junction when the budget was being tabled. “After having three consecutive railway ministers one would have thought that Patna would have a more ‘metro outlook’. But the railway authorities here appear to prefer the small town ways,” he said, adding that it appeared that Patna Junction would remain the same.