Tamil superstar Rajinikanth is learnt to have agreed to campaign for the BJP. The reason is a Rs 180 crores loan taken from Indian Bank by his wife to start her real estate business. With real estate sector in doldrums, she too suffered huge losses. BJP wanted Rajini to join the party but citing his health concerns, the superstar refused to comply. He though agreed to campaign for the BJP if the loan issue is resolved amicably. He has been assured about that. Now, it is for the Thalaivaa to write dialogues dripping with saffron.

The way BJP veteran Yashwant Sinha put dust his own party’s economic policies in the dock and the party fielded his son Jayant to refute his charges, it is more than apparent that all is not well in the party. Otherwise, despite having such a ‘competent’ Finance Minister, what had made the Prime Minister constitute an Economic Advisor Council comprising top economists and headed by Bibek Debroy. It is learnt that PM himself is concerned about steep fall in the GDP. So far he was banking more on the hard work than Harvard. Now, it seems to have shaken.

Despite the Centre blaming Yogi Government for whatever transpired in Banaras Hindu University campus during last few days, the fact is BHU is a central university which is fully funded by the Centre and its vice-chancellor is appointed by the Centre. But, after the lathi charge on girl students dominated national media more than PM’s Varanasi visit, Yogi was not only taken to the task but Union Minister Nitin Gadkari was given the task of informing the media about it. This obviously contains ominous signs for Yogi.

Raja Bhaiya used to be the financer and biggest campaigner for Samajwadi Party till last year. That was why the government used to abide by his wishes. But, nothing seems to have changed with the change in the regime. His writ is still running supreme. Most of the government contracts are still being bagged by his men but also many bureaucrats are getting plum postings at his instance. The reason, according to sources, is his caste – Thakur, to which the chief minister Yogi Adityanath too belongs.

Textile traders in Surat have found a novel way to vent their anger at BJP Government’. They have printed their packing boxes with slogan – ‘Kamal Ka Phool, Hamari Bhool’ (Voting for the BJP was our mistake).

Forthcoming Gujarat Assembly elections have become a prestige issue for both Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. That is why they are taking care of even minutest of happenings. It was being heard that International President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad Dr Pravin Togadia was upset with BJP and had shortlisted 40 Assembly seats in Gujarat where he could influence the poll outcome. Hearing about it, Team Shah started its damage control mission. First, they tried to cajole Togadia but when he refused to budge, they brought the RSS leadership in the picture. RSS sources confide that Togadia has been restrained from moving out of Gujarat and has been asked to strengthen the BJP. It’s clear that the RSS is supporting Modi-Shah team to the hilt and is hell-bent on changing the adverse scenario the party is facing right now.

BJP’s young MP Anurag Thakur is disappointed these days. He had been informed by one of the top ministers before the reshuffle that he is being included in the Modi cabinet as MoS (Independent Charge). Thakur immediately mobilised his supporters to move to Delhi. Many of them rushed from Himachal and Punjab. They gave the contract to a top advertising agency to put up more than 100 outdoor hoardings which were to read ‘New India Congratulates Anurag Thakur on being included in the union Cabinet’ alongside a smiling photograph of the young MP. But somehow he could not be included in the Cabinet. The hoardings could not be put up. But Anurag is not the one to take things lying down. He told his supporters that his place was in Himachal and not Delhi. So, they planned a grand roadshow for Anurag. It was planned that first, he will reach Chandigarh from Delhi and then will drive down from Solan to Shimla in a 500 cars cavalcade. Somehow, this was leaked out to Union Minister JP Nadda. He got in touch with organizing secretary of Himachal who in turn issued a diktat for everyone not to join Anurag’s show and anyone seen in the road show should not expect party’s ticket in the forthcoming election. So, when Anurag landed at Chandigarh, he found only six cars had turned up to receive him. Road Show idea bit the dust.