Arun Shourie and Subramanian Swamy are sulking. Both tried but were unable to get close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. And as everyone knows, both have a nuisance value if they choose to exercise it. Shourie seems to have taken the first plunge having just given an interview to a television news channel where he has attacked the “directionless” economic policy of the government. Mincing no words the former journalist and BJP ideologue has claimed that the of Modi, Amit Shah and Arun Jaitley is running the government at the expense of all others. Subramanian Swamy has shown more patience. From a statement a day he has fallen silent, as no one is really listening to him. In fact the spoof Facebook Page called Unofficial: Subramaniam Swamy keeps him alive, with more about him there than anywhere else these days. BJP leaders are waiting breathlessly for Swamy to erupt too, for added excitement to their currently shackled lives.
Jaitley In or Out?
Somehow, despite the absence of any firm indicator, the rumour that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is out of favour with Prime Minister Narendra Modi just refuses to go away. Jaitley is perhaps the most active Minister, simply because he is the one man who understands his portfolio and the functioning of Parliament more than any other in his Cabinet, but the little murmur that he is not in favour refuses to mute. Jaitley is not from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, is popular with the media and the chattering classes of Delhi, and is still seen by many as a ‘liberal’ face in the government. Regressive statements against the minorities and the women are not for him, and while the frown is not very visible these days, the smile of approval is certainly absent for such remarks from ministerial colleagues. Jaitley has a good equation with the Opposition, that shows despite the barbs and the jibes in Parliament. As an Opposition MP said, “someone is there to do the poor man in.”
Where is Priyanka?
For once Congress scion Rahul Gandhi is not hounded by party workers asking for Priyanka Vadra. Ever since he returned from the long holiday abroad, Rahul seems to have commanded attention with his laconic jibes against PM Modi in the Lok Sabha, and his visit to the states with a high percentage of farmer distress. The party is under gag orders, not to talk of a leadership change and at the same time not mention the sister even in whispers. The question that does beg an answer though is, where is Priyanka? She is in Delhi because she went to greet her brother when he returned from wherever he was, but has remained well out of public spotlights. The talk within the Congress has moved from her to who will be prominent in Rahul Gandhi’s team...with a close eye being kept on the younger MPs being fielded in Parliament. Scindia spends time shushing others when Gandhi is speaking, but Deepender Singh Hooda seems to be the current favourite.