Hot remarkool for BJP

The JD(U) national spokesperson Shivanand Tiwari’s statement defending Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee was virtually a relief for the BJP because the NDA partners started talking truce after that. he remark left the JD(U) leaders in Delhi red-faced and the party’s national president, Sharad Yadav, had to disapprove Tiwari’s statement, said a BJP leader. “The statement was timely and started the peace process between the BJP and the JD(U). But Baba (as Tiwari is known in political circles here) has always been known as the man with two voices. He changes his tune on the same subject in accordance with the political needs,” added the BJP leader.

Economics class for Dal

Noted economist Saibal Gupta was invited to the meeting of the JD(U) spokespersons convened by chief minister Nitish Kumar at his official residence in Patna to enrich their knowledge in economics and finance. “The subject is a weak spot for Bihar politicians. Apart from deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, nobody, not even Nitish, prefers to speak on economics and finance. But I doubt if any of the spokespersons would understand finance and economics. They are much more comfortable in hurling charges and abuses at their political opponents,” said a JD(U) leader, expressing doubts if Gupta could infuse “economic sense” in the mind of the spokespersons.

Gag is good

Old-timers of the JD(U) appear to be happy over the gag order for the party’s spokespersons after most of them went overboard to hit out at the BJP. “Most of the spokespersons — Bhim Singh, Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Sanjay Singh — were not with the party when we were in the opposition. They do not understand the dharma of alliance,” said an old-timer of the party. A spokesperson, very popular with reporters and always ready to issue statements at the drop of a hat, has simply vanished. Another one claimed that the chief minister had talked about how to present the party’s demand on special status, green coverage movement and other issues before the media. “Actually we were asked to consult N.K. (Nitish Kumar) before making statements on the BJP,” said a third one. Getting to meet or talk to N.K. is extremely difficult, the spokespersons said.

Green Gandhi Maidan a distant dream

The “beautification” of the historic Gandhi Maidan was supposed to be concluded by March this year. But soil is still dumped on the ground. “The district administration appears to be in no hurry to finish the beautification work soon. But it has to be completed by August 15 for the parade,” said a morning-walker. With the JD(U) planning a massive rally at the venue on November 6 in support of special status to the state, morning-walkers are hopeful of getting a “greener and cleaner Gandhi Maidan” by the end of this year.