CPI cadres’ songs in over public

The Communist parties are far ahead of the national parties or the regional parties in discipline and cultural performance. It was evident during the national Congress of the CPI when the party cadres broke into songs on the beat of cymbals and drums on the dais. he songs’ theme was derived from the hard life of toiling masses, but the quality was simply marvellous. Some passers-by said the CPI cadres were singing better than several renowned performers who had performed at the same Gandhi Maidan here on the occasion of the just-concluded Bihar Divas. “The ruling JD(U)-BJP might be richer in terms of legislators and resources. But they are utterly poor in comparison to the Left in culture and discipline,” said a man.

Silver lining in drab session

The state legislature’s budget session drags long and stays boring with the House mainly debating the budgetary demand of various departments and the legislators struggling with the drab statistics to speak. Prior to the NDA rule, the legislators cutting across party lines preferred the session to end soon. But the story is quite different in the NDA regime. Despite the boredom, the legislators want the session to continue. Reason: they get a chance to meet chief minister Nitish Kumar in person. “Our phones are not answered for months. Our request to meet the chief minister stays in queue for months and then vanishes,” said a JD(U) MLA. “We find it hard to meet the chief minister. At least, he is available during the session and we get the chance to meet him in connection with the problems related to our constituencies.” Several other JD(U) and BJP legislators agreed.

 

Open Invite

Former Assembly speaker and Congress leader Sadanand Singh was in full form in the House the other day while “cornering” the Nitish Kumar-led government on various issues. “You are making false claims. The poverty is not declining in the state. The state has not been inviting investments. The law and order situation continues to be abysmal. The power situation is worse,” Sadanand said, participating in a debate. But the chief minister used his gift of gab to defuse the situation. Nitish intervened and said: “Sadanand babu, I have very high regards for you because there is no one like you in the Congress. Why are you languishing in the party that does not know how to respect you? Come to us, we are ready to extend you a red carpet welcome. We will use you and your skill well.” The entire House broke into laughter. Sensing Nitish’s design, the Leader of the Opposition, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, said: “Please don’t try break the opposition parties.”

Health first, party next

The octogenarian state BJP president C.P. Thakur is a regular morning walker at the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park. A renowned physician, Thakur is quite health conscious. He was even walking merrily on the day when his party was locked in a bitter battle with the JD(U) on sharing a Rajya Sabha seat. A disgruntled BJP MLA said: “Doctor sahib (Thakur) has all the non-political traits. He takes care of his own health rather than the health of the party. Nitish Kumar, using his guile and tact, has usurped a Rajya Sabha seat from our share. But the doctor sahib is still concentrating on his fitness.” The MLA’s words, perhaps, failed to reach the doctor’s ears. After deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi declared that the BJP would contest only in two seats, Thakur said: “All is well between the BJP and JD(U). The BJP is not on the back foot.”