Shatrughan Sinha’s recent remarks in praise of Arvind Kejriwal has created ruffle in saffron party,though entire party machinery appeared to be in ‘damage control’ mood after the comment, but words that were out, could not be rolled back. The party high command is ignoring Shatrughan Sinha, who is hell-bent on finding a ministerial berth in the cabinet. Though, there’s nothing new about his outspoken ways.

Delhi elections have proved to be difficult proposition for self-proclaimed ‘Chanakya’ of BJP Amit Shah. Two days prior to Delhi polls, Shah called a meeting of three key leaders, Dr Harshvardhan, Vijay Goel and Satish Upadhyay. But Shah appeared most unhappy with Dr Harshvardhan. He was heard telling him that, ‘Dr Saheb, you have not worked hard in these elections, we are facing problem in your Krishna Nagar seat as well’. Somber Harshvardhan too lost his patience and replied that if he hadn’t worked hard, Kiran Bedi would not have been in the competition only. He further said that, ‘ the election campaign which was run by Vankaiah Naidu, Piyush Goyal, Smriti Irani and Nirmala Sitharaman, who themselves have never fought any elections in Delhi, how can we expect them to win Delhi. Why should we be blamed for small gathering of public in their meeting’? There seems to be a change in the atmosphere of Delhi, these are merely signs of spark, fire is awaited.

Both BJP and Modi had made a prestige issue over recent Delhi elections. The party had not just put its entire weight behind the elections, but also tried every possible means to achieve success. Money was spent like water. If sources are believed, almost 850 crores were spent in the Delhi elections alone.

There’s more on the earthquake in the External Affairs Ministry. Modi reportedly offered Singh the option of moving on as ambassador to a prominent international capital, or perhaps even a governorship. But she refused and sought retirement. That left the government in a dilemma: Jaishankar had to be appointed before Jan 31, the date when he would retire. It left the government with no option but to “curtail” Singh’s tenure (she was due to retire in August). There was the possibility of appointing Jaishankar foreign policy advisor (this would have allowed Singh to continue till her date of superannuation). But a foreign policy advisor also means encroaching on the turf of Modi’s trusted NSA Ajit Doval. So that was shot down, and so was Sujata Singh.

It is not easy to guess the changing shades of those in politics. For instance, once a staunch advocator of Gandhi’s dynastic politics, Jayanthi Natarajan’s love lost for the Congress party was not sudden. Sources reveal that its string is connected with her nephew. A senior official claims that when Natarajan held the portfolio of Forests and Environment in Manmohan’s government, this nephew of hers was her front man. It is being said that Modi government has discovered some files related to scams of that period. When Jyanthi tried to seek some legal advice on the matter, she was told that she could meet the same fate that of Raja and Kanimozhi. Gauging the sensitivity of the situation, an able lawyer herself, Jyanthi chose to seek safe haven under saffron party. Sources tell that she met BJP President Amit Shah at a hotel in Chennai recently, when he was visiting to look up her ailing sister who was undergoing treatment there. After an assurance from Shah, Jayanthi changed her loyalty and attitude towards her alma mater.

Reliable sources in the Congress disclose that when Jayanthi was a minister, a famous industrialist (Automobile sector) had complained to Rahul Gandhi that various environmental clearances of his industrial group were being stalled by her without valid reasons. It is believed that industrialist also named a person associated with Jayanthi in his complaint. Annoyed Rahul consulted Sonia and Manmohan on this matter very next day. It was told that same afternoon, Jayanthi was called by Manmohan and asked to resign from the ministry. It can be recalled that next day while addressing FICCI Summit, Rahul declared that henceforth no files will be held back in the name of environment clearance, as government has cleared all the obstacles for rapid industrialization.

BJP’s president Amit Shah is no longer keen to keep up the alliance with Akalis, therefore if there is truth in it then BJP will not fight next Punjab elections with Badal but Captain Amarinder Singh. Deeply stung by Rahul’s decisions, Capt. Amarinder is all set to set up his own political outfit and BJP is in all likelihood ready to align with Amarinder’s regional party. Sources tell that talks have reached final stage between Amit Shah and Capt. Amarinder .

BJP’s leader and MP from Patna Saheb, Shatrughan Sinha’s son Kush got married at Mumbai’s TAJ Lands End Hotel. Kush is married to the daughter of London-based industrialist Subodh Agrawal, Taruna. Many celebrities of Bollywood attended the wedding. Famous non-resident business magnates like Swaraj Paul, Lakshmi Mittal and Hinduja brothers also presented at the wedding. The Prime Minister may also attend the wedding reception. Amar Singh and Industrialist Sajjan Jindal too were attended the wedding.

There’s no doubt that Modi is a hard task master. While announcing that Atal Ji’s birthday 25 December to be celebrated as ‘good governance’ day, Modi had tasked all party MPs and ministers to visit their constituencies and initiate some welfare measures. However, later he was informed that nothing much was done on that day, he appointed Ananth Kumar as in charge, who is suppose to take report from each MP and minister on programmes conducted on 25th and forward it to Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister had called a meeting of all central and state ministers on January 5th last. Sources reveal that Modi expressed his displeasure over the issue that despite his repeated direction most cabinet ministers have failed to distribute task to their junior or state ministers, which in turn have left the junior ministers jobless. But at the same time he appreciated his cabinet colleagues like Arun Jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu for rightfully allocating the task to their junior ministers.