Sheesh Mahal Mystery

The mystery about Sheesh Mahal, the name BJP has given the former official residence of AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, is deepening with reports that some opulent bathroom fittings are missing. The question doing the rounds is when exactly this happened and how the missing items could be matched with an original list. One way is to track the records of the contractors who carried out the works in the residence. The other would be to examine official records maintained by PWD. The state of records in the Delhi government has been subject to controversy with officers complaining of missing files. But another source of evidence on the manner in which the refitting and construction was proposed and cleared is in the relevant report of the CAG, portions of which have appeared in the media. BJP leaders have highlighted the Sheesh Mahal episode, arguing the funds spent on the residence are completely at variance with AAP’s claim to represent the common man and instead, the house is a symbol of the corruption cases, such as the excise policy scandal that allegedly favoured select private liquor players. The Sheesh Mahal controversy and the liquor scandal, BJP leaders believe, have made a strong impression on the voter and are therefore prominent aspects of the party’s election campaign.

Deportations won’t hurt India-US ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Washington for the inauguration of the new Donald Trump presidency was marked by conversations seeking to re-establish the rapport Trump shared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Though concerns are being aired about likely deportation of illegal Indian migrants from the US as per the new Trump policy, India is not supportive of any movement of people or goods that violates the law. At home, the Modi government has sought deportation of illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas too. The so-called “Dunki” trail is a mafia active in states like Punjab and victims are encouraged by the belief that if they somehow enter America, they could stay on. Trump has sought to cut at the root of this supposition by stating that illegals will simply be turned away at the borders. India is unlikely to have a problem with that.

BJP’S Marathi Connect in Delhi

As it did in the Maharashtra election, BJP is looking to replicate its effort to contact voter segments through party organisations. A meeting to celebrate Makar Sankranti was organised by the Maharashtrian cell of the Delhi BJP at the residence of Rajya Sabha MP Bhagwat Karad. A medical practitioner before he entered politics, Karad was a welcoming host to Delhi leaders like New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj and state party chief Virendra Sachdeva. The Delhi leaders urged the Marathi community to mobilise support for BJP in the Delhi election by activating dozens of neighbourhood committees that organise Ganesh puja in the city.

Anurag in the Limelight

Former minister Anurag Thakur has an active brief during Parliament sessions when he is often fielded by BJP to make sharp points against the Opposition as he did when he questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s pitch for a caste census. Thakur released the second part of BJP’s manifesto for the Delhi election. The political assignments have seen the leader carve out a profile for himself that indicates he might well return to government at some point in time.

Russia Keeps Gaining

While there is talk of a fresh push for peace, the battleground situation in Ukraine, shows 18 per cent of the country is currently under Russian occupation. The US-based Hudson Institute update states the situation is grim with Russian forces gaining control of town after town despite heavy losses. In contrast, Ukraine is facing increasing difficulty in force generation and deployment. Russia is using a large number of drones. The only bright spot for Ukraine is success in long-range attacks on military targets within Russian territory.

Knocking on Trump’s Door

A cartoon doing the rounds on social media shows Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un standing at US President Donald Trump’s door with a bottle of champagne. Funny as the sight would be, Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping were quick to exchange notes and announce their deliberations too. The idea is straightforward enough: to show they continue to be “partners” in reshaping the global order. At the same time, both leaders will be keen to see what benefits could accrue in terms of a satisfactory solution in Ukraine for Putin and an easing of trade curbs in the case of Xi. Despite their bluster, both leaders and the economies of their countries are feeling the pinch of international isolation and military pressures in respective neighbourhoods.

How Sena Read Saif

Shiv Sena has shot off a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding that employment agencies detected supplying illegal Bangladeshi labour must face strict action. The demand comes in the wake of reports that the assailant who attacked Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan in his Bandra apartment had illegally entered India from Bangladesh. The Sena called for surveys to check documents and deport such persons. The attack on Khan saw Opposition parties and some media persons criticise the law and order in Mumbai. But they are unlikely to endorse

AAPAnurag ThakurArvind KejriwalBJPDelhi Assembly ElectionIndia-US relationsMakar SankrantiRussia-Ukraine conflictSheesh Mahal