State, Raj Bhavan cold war still on

Those who thought the relationship between Governor Devanand Konwar and the state government improved after he asked the Opposition in his speech to go to the streets to protest, think again. ccording to sources, when Konwar went to Delhi to inaugurate the Bihar Divas function, he insisted to go around the venue before formally inaugurating it. He went around the place and criticised the lapses of the show. Bihar’s industries minister Renu Devi could not take the criticism and said loudly: “The state government has so many departments to run. The governor has just the higher education to look after. The condition of higher education in Bihar is far from satisfactory.” Thereafter, Konwar went through the formalities silently. “Though education minister P.K. Shahi has made a conscious effort to avoid criticising the governor from public platforms, the cold war is still on,” said a minister.

Transfer of leaders

The Leader of the Opposition, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, recently mentioned the name of former minister Akhlakh Ahmad during his speech in the House. “Where is he nowadays?” asked chief minister Nitish Kumar. Siddiqui said he id not know because Ahmad was originally from Samata Party. “What I do know is that Shyam Rajak is with you because Rajak originally hails from the RJD,” he added. Nitish quipped that politicians should have the right for “transfers and postings”. Siddiqui said it should be made “inter-state”. Ahmad was with the Samata Party but later joined the RJD and lost in the polls. “Party affiliations matter only if you win. If you lose, nobody cares which party you are in,” said a senior MLA, recalling that Ahmad at one time was one of the most sought after politicians of the state.

Wrong choice of speaker

A special debate on illegal mining saw a JD(U) MLA speak against illegal mining. But the legislator himself has been accused of patronising illegal mining of sand in his constituency. “Perhaps we will see a few dons-turned-legislators speak on the law and order in the state,” said an RJD MLA, stressing that he was surprised that despite having a massive majority and so many quality speakers, the JD(U) picked up an MLA who has a controversial past.

Glare on IPS officer

Chief minister Nitish Kumar spotted an IPS officer transferred recently at a function where he (the officer) was to receive an award. “Why are you still in Patna? You should be at the new place of your posting,” said the chief minister. The IPS officer replied that he had already joined there. A senior IAS officer said: “Officers should always remain away from the glare of their political boss.” Same was the trend during the Lalu-Rabri days. Lalu Prasad was once surprised to find a few district magistrates at a function organised in Patna to distribute awards for spreading literacy. The officers were among the recipients of the awards. “Have you taken permission to leave your districts to receive the award?” he asked the district magistrates. The officers returned to their respective district the same evening.