Love-Hate Relationship Between Paparazzi And Film Stars Continues…

Reel heroes don’t care about the media. That’s what came to light at the recent episode where a phone of a senior journalist was snatched by security personnel of actor Allu Arjun and no apology was offered either by the actor or his PR team. One has to wait and watch whether the journalist Vibha Kaul Bhat of ABP News will take the fight forward. More. Recently at the trailer launch of Kanguva, the bouncers of Tamil film’s popular star Suriya pushed the media who were waiting for the actor for over two hours. But, here one must say the actor had decency to apologise. Ranbir Kapoor now enjoys a good equation with the paparazzi but it may be recalled that the same actor in the past had snatched the camera of a paparazzi. A few years back Kangana Ranaut sent a legal notice to the Entertainment Journalists Guild of India and the Press Club of India for supporting PTI journalist Justin Rao. There are stories and stories about Dharmendra, Anupam Kher and other stars how they got into fights with journalists. In recent times Shah Rukh Khan was mightily upset with paparazzi for staking out his house when his son Aryan was arrested in connection with a drug-on-cruise case. Their overdrive saw King Khan carrying a green umbrella to hide his face making it difficult for paps to shoot him. During Ambani’s wedding the film fraternity went that extra length to pose for the paparazzi. Ironically, while the entire fraternity including Big B has had problems with paparazzi, Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff have been their darling since the time they entered Bollywood. Time for other stars to learn their mantras. (By Our Entertainment Editor)

Washington Sundar Given The Short Shrift…Why?

Why was Washington Sundar dropped for the ‘Pink-Ball’ second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia at the Adelaide Oval? After his sudden recall for the second Test of the home series against New Zealand, the Tamil Nadu off-spinner, possessing a skillset as much as the left-arm all-rounder in Ravindra Jadeja, had reasonably good outings, most significantly playing like an old-fashioned batter, digging his heels at the lower order and taking wickets, too. Sundar in all took 16 wickets, stealing the show from the senior pro in Ravichandran Ashwin. An automatic choice for the first Test against Australia in Perth, Sundar spent 20 minutes in the first innings and four minutes short of two hours in the second. In a Test that India won because of the individual brilliance of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, the 25-year-old conventional off-break bowler from Tamil Nadu took the wickets of Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon. Based on these performances and his show of grit and determination, he should have been playing XI on the team sheet that India skipper Rohit Sharma exchanged with his Australian counterpart Pat Cummins. But Sharma, who was not part of the team in Perth, chose Ashwin for the pink-ball Test, obviously because of his 16 wicket collection at the `Adelaide Oval; in three Test matches, including a 4 for 55 in the first innings of the pink-ball Test four years ago. Sharma and the tour selectors may have a point going for Ashwin looking at past records, but Sundar had the momentum and enthusiasm going with him playing in the previous three Tests leading to Adelaide. (By G Viswanath)

Fadnavis’s Faces Problems Of Plenty, But Amit Shah’s Dil Mange More

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis (3.0) faces a problem of plenty, and may likely go the whole hog constituting a full strength cabinet of ministers touching the 43-member mark. Clamouring ensued within BJP itself, with ministerial aspirants seeking plum portfolios even as earlier phased plan ‘A’ of limited 30 to 32 strong cabinet ministers may now be enlarged under intense lobbying from alliance partners. Fadnavis retains the contentious home department, Shinde’s claim remains on urban development while Pawar’s sway over finance likely continues, even including the irrigation portfolio. BJP MLAs tussle for the revenue portfolio even as Ashish Shelar and NCP’s Aditi Tatkare flash credentials seeking the Housing department. Education will see new learning programs even as revenue assumes huge significance to launch BJP high command’s programs alongside emphasis on the Dharavi recast. Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who raised illegal migrants’ issue on collector’s land in suburban Mumbai’s Malwani and Yogesh Sagar, briefly MoS of UDD department in 2019, are contenders in fray for Revenue portfolio taking BJP’s plan to ferret out Rohingyas and Bangladeshis ahead. Pilot project was launched in J&K where the LG cut off power and water to illegal migrants’ conclave only to be nixed by the Omar Abdullah government recently. BJP’s plan ‘B’ of 20 ministries with itself, around 12 for Shiv Sena, 8 to 10 for NCP tallies with Union Home Minister Amit Shah fresh target set for Shinde and Pawar of inducing remaining MPs, MLAs from Uddhav’s Sena and Sharad Pawar’s motley crew to elect themselves into the NDA fold. (By Renni Abraham)

More Than Humiliating Rout What Worries Maharashtra Congress Leaders Is Nana Patole At The Helm

For Congress leaders in Maharashtra it is no longer the question of dealing with outright rejection in the assembly elections. What is bothering them is that PCC chief Nana Patole continues to enjoy trust and immense confidence in the party’s supreme leader Rahul Gandhi. Patole, who barely managed to retain his Sakoli assembly seat by a narrow margin of 208 votes, had offered to quit, but has been reportedly persuaded to stay put and manage party affairs. Partymen were surprised that Rahul continued to back Patole and wanted him to lead the campaign against EVM in consultation with allies in the state. A former party MP, once part of Rahul Gandhi’s inner circle, has gone ballistic ever since the Congress meltdown in the state. While he credits much of it to the success of Mahayuti’s Ladki Bahin Scheme, he has been highly  critical of the Congress’s electoral move to  better the Mahayuti’s Ladki Bahin Scheme by promising Rs 3,000 pm against Mahayuti’s Rs 1500 and repackaging it as Mahalaxmi scheme along with free bus  ride for women. “We did not expect this sort of public censure of our own manifesto from within. The Laadki Bahin money had reached the women in their bank accounts by Bhau Bheej (Diwali).That was the reason MVA promise of Rs 3000 and free bus travel found no takers,” said a Maharashtra Congress leader.  It is learnt that Ladki Bahin will not be rationalised or moderated at least till the civic polls are held. That means MVA would continue to languish in the cold for some more time. (By Lakshmi Iyer)

Mamata Banerjee Urges Party MLAs Not Share Info With Political Consulting Agencies

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a stern directive to her party’s MLAs and leaders, instructing them not to share any information with political consulting agencies. Instead, she emphasized that they are welcome to communicate directly with the party’s senior leadership. The move comes against the backdrop of rising tensions within the TMC, which, according to party insiders, stem from party’s general secretary Abhishek Banerjee’s growing influence. Abhishek, Mamata’s nephew is perceived to be transitioning into a more prominent role within the organization, causing unease among party veterans and Mamata loyalists. At a recent meeting with TMC legislators, Didi made it clear that she remains the party’s ultimate authority. She noted that some political strategists conduct surveys from afar and manipulate results, asserting that electoral victories depend on grassroots workers, not consultants. Mamata also reportedly cautioned MLAs about sharing sensitive information over the phone. The divide within the TMC has deepened, with party veterans accusing political agency I-PAC of creating a parallel structure within the organization. Party sources suggest that she is planning further steps to consolidate her control, including possible reshuffles in her Cabinet and the state police. This comes after a recent reorganization of her home department and a directive for strict action against corruption “irrespective of political affiliations.” Meanwhile, speaking about the constant speculation of her successor, Didi has stated that the decision regarding her successor as the leader of the party would be a collective one, emphasizing that the party is not just about her. (By Tanya Bagchi)

Fadnavis Keen To Rope In Raj Thackeray’s MNS, Eknath Shinde’s Nod Needed

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is now engaged in performing a balancing act between the Shiv Sena led by deputy CM Eknath Shinde and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) founded by Raj Thackeray. Keeping in view the coming local body elections, it will be a priority for Fadnavis to prevent any fissures in the Mahayuti alliance and to enhance its electoral might at the same time. As part of this strategy, MNS can become a crucial factor in bigger municipal corporations like Mumbai, Pune and Nasik. The Sena (UBT) still has considerable clout in these areas and any split in the Mahayuti vote bank can prove decisive for the outcome since the winning margin can be very narrow, given the possibility of multicolour fights. MNS chief Raj Thackeray had taken a unilateral decision to contest the assembly election for which he had fielded 125 candidates. But not a single victory came his way. Immediately after the BJP’s spectacular score was announced, Raj announced his unconditional support for the new government led by Fadnavis. On the other hand, the Sena led by Shinde is insistent that no decision about MNS should be taken without first holding consultations with him. Therefore, Fadnavis will have to wield his political skills to the hilt to keep the flock together. Shinde’s uneasiness in accepting the deputy CM’s post is no secret. Hence, placating and persuading him to accept the MNS will be the next priority for Fadnavis. (By Dilip Chaware)

Is Vijay Trying To Wean VCK Chief Thirumavalavan Away From The DMK Alliance?

Tamil superstar turned politician Vijay while attending a book launch to pay tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar was surprised to note that Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan was missing from the scene. Vijay while speaking at the event said, “Knowing his commitment to the cause and ideology of Dr Ambedkar, Thiruma is not one to stay away…but he must be under tremendous pressure in his alliance to keep away. I know his heart is with us, and I can understand his compulsion.” In one strike, Vijay exposed the vulnerable flanks of all…DMK’s looming clout to keep the alliance glued, Thiruma waiting for an opportune chance to jump ship and Vijay himself wanting to break existing brotherhoods. When journalists asked Thiruma for his comment, he lashed out saying “I have 25 years of political savvy and sagacity. No one can pressurise me. My body and soul are both with the alliance. Yet, I have no issues with Vijay coming to politics and speaking his lines.” But one should not politicise issues like sharing or not sharing a stage. Then why was Aadav Arjun, VCK’s newly minted disc jockey seen at the event? Thiruma was quick with his repartee…he represents a movement, “Voice of Common”, could have attended on those credentials. Meanwhile, the grand alliance under the DMK umbrella must be on red alert to spot Trojans, and seismic shakes. (By Padma Ramnath)

Sharad Pawar Questions Election Outcome, But Not EVMs

Veteran leader Sharad Pawar has raised a question mark over the assembly election outcome in Maharashtra but has desisted from making any direct allegations against the EVMs or the Election Commission. Pawar’s observation has come against the backdrop of his visit to Markadwadi in Solapur district. Some of the villagers had organised a paper ballot polling in the village to protest against the EC’s declared voting figures. However, the move was abandoned after the government banned any such attempt. Pawar visited the village to articulate the people’s right to express discontent against the government since cases have been filed against around 200 villagers in connection with the protest. About the assembly results, Pawar said his party candidates had received 72 lakh votes but could win only 10 seats. On the other hand, the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar had recorded 58 lakh votes but it won 41 seats. A party getting 80 lakh votes has just 15 winners while the other party gaining 79 lakh votes has 57 successful candidates, Pawar pointed out. However, he said although the outcome was surprising, it would not be proper to comment about the EVMs until there was a solid basis. Pawar also expressed his misgivings by stating that opposition parties were winning smaller states while bigger states were won by the BJP. Still, the Maha Vikas Aghadi has decided to face the coming local body election together, Pawar reiterated. His refusal to join the anti-EVM chorus triggered by the Congress party is being interpreted differently by the other two MVA partners, the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray and the Congress.  (By Dilip Chaware)

Strong Undercurrent In BJP’s Odisha Unit

Discontent seems to be brewing in Odisha BJP’s select pockets. The trigger seems to be aspirations – the CM’s chair. Reading the mood, PM Narendra Modi, in his third visit in November without mincing words gave a clear signal that Odisha chief minister Mohon Charan Majhi is here to stay for the next five years. This clearly means there will be no mid-term change. So CM aspirants like Dharmendra Pradhan, Aparijita Sarangi, Baijayant Panda will have to wait for five years. Meanwhile, what is now coming out in the open is infighting within BJP Odisha leaders. The party’s once upon a time strongman Jaynarayan Mishra who had played a big role in toppling Biju Janata Dal lamented publicly that he has been sidelined. This explains why Mishra did not attend BJP’s oath taking ceremony and was absent at the winter session of Odisha Assembly. So seems to be the case of BJP MP Pradip Kumar Panigrahy who was earlier with BJD. He is deliberately keeping a low profile. In all this undercurrent, what is becoming clearer is that Odisha administration, transfers, postings will be managed by bureaucracy and not by BJP politicians. (Sangram Mohanty)             

Devendra FadnavisMamata BanerjeeNational PoliticsOdishaSharad PawarThirumavalavan