The effects of the Parliament not functioning can be seen on foreign investments. The way the government has been unable to pass any important proposal in the Parliament for a while now, has had a direct impact on investors’ confidence on Modi government. They feel that while it is all right that Modi government is a majority government, the 44-member Opposition headed by the Congress seems to be heavier on the former. Despite the passing of more than a year, the government has barely managed to pass two to three important proposals. Nothing seems to be happening in the insurance sector either, or labour reforms. This is the reason investors are now turning away and our economy is not gaining the momentum it can and should have.

During the entire Monsoon Session, it seemed as if Sonia’s faith in Rahul Gandhi has only strengthened. In her eyes, Rahul has emerged as a leader who can not only head the Congress but the country as well. That is why every time Rahul was seen giving a byte to the media, Sonia could be seen at a distance from him and showed her agreement with what he had to say by her body language. This is the reason that despite it not being agreeable to her core group, Sonia went along with several of Rahul’s big decisions regarding the Monsoon Session; one of his biggest decisions being the washout of the session. Although Sonia herself wanted that there be discussions about important bills such as the GST during the Monsoon Session, she gave in when it came to Rahul’s stubbornness.

Three days ago, Nitish and Lalu had a long conversation with Sonia and Rahul in context to Bihar elections. While Nitish interacted with Rahul, Lalu as a habit found it easier to get along with Sonia, and so he spoke to her. Both Lalu and Nitish had the same thing to say – because it is crucial to stop Modi making inroads into Bihar, the Congress will have to decrease its seat demand. Sources say that the Congress has asked for 40 seats for itself, and three seats for its coalition partner NCP. Lalu and Nitish’s advice is to leave 25-30 seats for the Congress and NCP. Both leaders want 105 seats each for their respective parties, and leave the remaining 33 for the Congress, RKP and Left parties. They are also of the opinion that in the recent Assembly elections in Bihar, they had left four seats for the Congress, but it had not done considerably well. Sources close to the Congress say that both Sonia and Rahul have informally given a green signal to their suggestions. The party wants to stop the BJP’s lotus from blooming at any cost.

Prof Ramgopal Yadav and Azam Khan have come together to stop Mulayam Singh Yadav’s friend of yore Thakur Amar Singh’s reentry into the SP. One got a whiff of this when Amar Singh arrived in Lucknow from Delhi to attend the iftar party organized by Mulayam Singh. Sensing this, Azam Khan distanced himself from the iftar party. Not only did he distance himself from netaji’s party, he organized another iftar at his residence, where netaji wasn’t invited. Ever since Thakur sahib’s efforts to reenter the party have increased, Azam has openly started telling his supporters that Thakur sahib will easily garner votes for the SP for the 2017 elections; he and his ilk were nothing but mules that pulled the party’s weight and know little else. The message has reached netaji as well, but he can neither let go off Azam easily, neither can he leave Thakur Amar Singh. All he is waiting for is the tides to change.

Citing health reasons, Suresh Soni, a prominent Sangh leader has asked for year’s leave from the organization. Ever since he has had a heart attack, Soni is paying attention to his health above all else. First he went to meet his mother in Indore, and went to Kerala from there. During his month-long stay in the southern state, Soni is getting his treatment done at a hospital owned by Sangh swayamsevak.

Despite so much shelter and protection from his masters in the political world, the coming days may be tough for Lalit Modi. The government has made all preparations to tighten its noose around him. Lalit’s biggest problem is the PMLA Law, because of which his properties in India and London may be auctioned off in the days to come. He has already been kicked out of his ancestral companies’ boards, which means he doesn’t get the lakhs he used to from them every month.

The mother just won’t give up, and then there’s Rahul, who is just not ready to shoulder so many responsibilities. Sonia Gandhi wants that Rahul Gandhi be anointed party president this September, but even the initial formalities haven’t begun for this until now. For starters, Rahul’s name will need to be nominated to the Congress Working Committee and approved by it. Then his name will have to be approved by the All India Congress Committee members, and then there is a plenary session of the party, where the proposal will be either accepted or rejected. That means there are several hoops to jump through before Rahul becomes the party president. But no initiative seems to be taken about it so far; so will the party have to wait some more for a new president, it means?

London has emerged as the favourite destination for several Indian chief ministers. For instance, Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was there when the Gurdaspur attack happened; UP’s CM Akhilesh Yadav has also just returned from London; and Mamata Didi was busy shopping in London with her entourage there.

Modi government has been at the helm of things for more than a year, but no footsteps of the Acchey Din can be heard until now. Several business houses are in a bad shape; those such as Essar and JP Group are reeling under a lot of debt, and are trying to sell off stake in their own companies. Several prominent business houses are trying to look for trade and business options abroad, instead of India.

A few days ago, SP leader Prof Ram Gopal Yadav’s birthday was celebrated with great pomp and show at New Delhi’s India Islamic Centre. On the occasion, Vice President Hamid Ansari also released a book “Sangharsh ka prayog”, which is based on lectures given by Prof. Yadav. Many important leaders from across parties were seen on the occasion, for instance, Digvijay Singh and Oscar Fernandes from the Congress; Ravishankar Prasad from the BJP; Lalu Yadav from the RJD; D P Tripathi of the National Congress Party of India; Left leader Atul Kumar Anjaan; Mulayam Singh from the SP, along with party’s Azam Khan, Shivpal Yadav, Akhilesh and dozens of ministers from the Cabinet. Organised by SP’s General Secretary Rajesh Dixit, who is one of the closest confidantes of Prof Yadav, had organized the event, which saw 69-year-old Prof Yadav get emotional on several occasions that day.