Border Pangs
Delhi: In a week's time, commuters heading for south Delhi from Noida will find their travel time cut substantially, thanks to a new eight-lane toll bridge. But Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Rajnath Singh will have nothing to do with the inauguration, not at least on his state's side. Not even to claim credit in an election year for a job well done. Why? Because three of his predecessors lost their jobs shortly after visiting Noida. So Rajnath will do the honours with Delhi Lt-Governor Vijai Kapur on the Delhi side of the border.
Bye Line
Delhi: Musings from Kerala's backwaters have led to several controversies. The mudslinging involving four journalists in the PMO has had its first fallout. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's media adviser H.K. Dua found out the hard way that he wasn't in the delegation accompanying the prime minister to Vietnam and Indonesia. When Dua sought to submit his passport for visa applications, he was told it wasn't necessary-because he wasn't going. Dua's saving grace could be Vajpayee's desire to give him an ambassadorial post.
Promising to Debut
Thiruvananthapuram: The BJP's dry spell in Kerala may soon end. During last week's BJP national office-bearers' meeting in the capital, central leaders were delighted when state representatives told them that the party may make its debut in the state Assembly in the coming elections in May. So far, the BJP has never been strong enough to win a seat, though in at least 45 assembly constituencies it has the numbers to decide which among the two principal foes-the CPI(M) or the Congress-is the lesser enemy.
Power Point
Bangalore: Union Minister of State for Finance Dhananjay Kumar may be the MP from Mangalore but when its denizens have a problem, it is the AICC General Secretary Oscar Fernandes they call on. His proximity to 10 Janpath ensures that when Oscar calls, Chief Minister S.M. Krishna obliges.