Is it true that one can sense the end of Nitish-Lalu’s honeymoon period? With the intentions to realize his election manifesto and start working on it, Nitish has initiated work on alcohol prohibition in the state. So much so that he had advised alcohol retailers to stop selling alcohol, and to start selling milk. The state’s alcohol lobby approached Lalu with its grievances, and asked him, “Can the profits of selling milk be compared with that from selling alcohol?” Lalu understood the point and he spoke to Nitish and tried to make him see reason. It is the women in the villages who ask for alcohol prohibition; thus, let the ban happen in the villages and let alcohol continue to sell in towns and cities. Nitish didn’t see any reason in this argument, but for now, he is neither opening up his heart about the issue, nor his mouth.

A few days ago, a prominent leader of the BJP Margadarshak Mandal Murli Manohar Joshi was in Bangalore on a trip. The party appointed one of its members of legislative council (MLCs) for this. But Mr MLC refused to go to the airport saying he has a small car. After this, the party got in touch with an MLA, who has received Joshi at the airport in the past, and has a big car, too. But he refused, saying he won’t be in Bangalore on the said date. Somehow, the party managed to get one of its MLCs for the job. This incident might prove to be a milestone to read the real face of politics.

Up until now, when it came to media interaction and controlling it, PM Modi would rely on a trusted strategist. But he has decided to do something new from the coming year. Sources say that from New Year onwards, he will meet journalists on a one-to-one basis on his own, and will put his points across to them. He has already started the process. And although there are still a few more days to the New Year, he didn’t want to wait anymore to implement his new plan.

At the same time, a sea of ambitious plans has taken over Nitish’s consciousness. Two days ago, he was enjoying a dinner with Lalu ji, when both politicians decided that they will give the Mahagathbandhan of the Janata parties a new form. Surprisingly, Lalu has been successful in convincing his samdhi Mulayam Singh Yadav for the same. In the same vein, Nitish has also given an application to the Election Commission for Janata Dal’s old symbol, the chakra. Both leaders have also reached a consensus that the General Elections of 2019 can be fought under Deve Gowda’s leadership. Apart from Lalu and Nitish, the Mahagathbandhan may have Deve Gowda, Chautala and Ajit as well.

Pappu Yadav is the perfect example of how a mere election result can change the political climate. He is a Parliamentarian from Madhepura from Lalu Yadav’s RJD. But this time, at the behest of the BJP, he tried to play dirty with Lalu Yadav in this time’s Bihar elections. The election results, however, showed Lalu-Nitish win with a big margin. Now it was Pappu Yadav who was in a spot. Sources reveal he asked for time from Lalu many a time, but he just didn’t agree to it. A few days ago, Pappu met the PM, and the latter requested him for some time so that he could speak to him. Sources say the PM Modi promptly told Pappu, “You gave a lot of support. It won’t be possible to meet, however.” Pappu didn’t know what to say or do – after all, it was the same prime minister who would keep calling him and meeting him right before the Bihar elections.

Amidst all the political covert games, the Congress and Badruddin Ajmal have reached an understanding between them. Although Ajmal was not in favour of the Congress in the beginning, but the sudden blooming of the lotus flower in Assam and pressure from some Muslim leaders meant he thought it wise to join hands with the Congress. Ajmal has agreed that he will not have his candidate contest elections in upper Assam and the north bank area; in fact, he will assist Congress candidates in these areas.

The Congress seems to have gained lost ground in the National Herald issue. Taking advantage of BJP’s unwanted aggression with Sonia’s strategists, it has converted the matter from a legal one to one that is political. But it’s not like all Congress Parliamentarians are agreeable to the strategy. About 125 Congress Parliamentarians (which includes those in the Rajya Sabha) have a different opinion about the National Herald case and there are two clear school of thoughts. The Rahul-Sonia coterie is in favour of maintaining that the party’s take on the matter should be sharp and aggressive. They feel that even if non-bailable warrants are issued in the name of their top leaders on December 19, they will only get the country’s sympathies. At the same time, there are Parliamentarians from West Bengal and Punjab who feel that the public considers this a matter of “Chori, oopar se seena zori” (Doing something wrong and then being blasé about it). But they are unable to muster up the courage to put their view forward. They are probably of the opinion that it is better the BJP does the job of showing the Congress the mirror.

An interesting scene unfolded in the Lok Sabha during Friday’s question hour. Arun Jaitley was present in the Parliament with his two junior ministers, that is, Finance Minister for State Jayant Sinha, and Information and Broadcasting Minister for State Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Despite being present there, Jaitley got his junior ministers answer questions about related ministries. Like a big brother, he was also giving them frequent tips, was encouraging them, and was working with them like a mentor.

Maharashtra’s young and dynamic Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seems to be surrounded by troubles. Most of his ministers in the Cabinet have complaints against him. And this isn’t just about the ministers from the Shiv Sena quota; ministers from the BJP, too, are taking their issues with Fadnavis to the party high command. But they probably won’t get a hearing there because Fadnavis has recently transformed himself into one who is loved by Delhi, and looks up to it for every big and small decision. Maybe that is the reason the Congress in Maharashtra is gradually taking back lost territory little by little. Riding on the ambitions of one of his industrialist friends from Gujarat, Sharad Pawar too has started to change his perspective in the changed scenario. All this might be a warning bell for Fadnavis.

A few days ago, BJP leader Shatrughna Sinha came out of the Parliament, onto the portico and sat in his car. Just when the car was about the leave, he realised that a known photographer was standing right outside his car. At the sight of the camera, Shotgun shot out of the car and started to give a pose of getting into his car. But the photographer made it clear: “Not today, sir. I clicked your photo just yesterday.”