When the news stealthily emerged from the innermost recesses of the Congress, political experts had to believe it, albeit with difficulty. The big question was, would/ could the turban-clad man, who was always so open about his loyalties, do this? Is Manmohan seriously not getting along with his mentor Sonia Gandhi? Reliable sources from 10, Janpath say that although there might be no daggers drawn between 10, Janpath, and 7, Racecourse, but the fact remains that both don’t share the same warmth anymore and the foundations of trust are looking shaky. It is not suddenly that Sonia’s is not interested in the UPA government’s rule in its second innings.

When we talk about the rajmata and the yuvraj, it is natural to talk of the exiled son of the first political family of India. Feroz Varun Gandhi is the dawning star of the BJP party and will be marrying his fiancé Yamini Roy at the Shankaracharya Ashram in Varanasi on March 6. He will also host of big reception party at New Delhi’s Ashok Hotel on March 8, which is expected to be attended by Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka. But before that Varun is trying to get as much political mileage in the UP arena as possible by getting the royalty in UP on his side. His well-wishers from the state include Raja Sahaspur Bidari Chandra Vijay Singh (who was once in the Congress), Raja Sahab Baansi (who has connections with the SP), Raja Sahab Bhinaga, Baharaich, Raja Sahab Bhadavar and once SP parliamentarian Raja Sahab Manakapur. On February 3, Raja Bijnor Kunwar Bharatendu Singh organized a rally for Varun in the Numaish Grounds in Bijnor, a rally that was attended by 30,000-40,000 people. On February 17, Varun has another rally in Padhrauna in Kushinagar. Varun is going to become a relative for the first family there through marriage; Padhrauna’s Congress Parlimentarian RPN Singh’s mother is Varun’s would-be mother-in-law’s first cousin.

Congress Rajmata Sonia Gandhi has announced her retirement after the age of 65. It is being touted as the next big change in the party. It might be the forerunner to Rahul Gandhi heading the future of the party. Reliable sources tell that Sonia thinks it is the right time for Rahul to take over as the president of the Congress Working Committee. And it is the party’s habit of catering to the rajmata’s whims and fancies.

The UPA government is in no mood to lock horns with the Opposition, especially after seeing Opposition leaders Sushma Swaraj of Lok Sabha in no mood to give in. The government has all but yielded and is preparing to let Thomas go. But it also doesn’t want to upset him, considering he is a Syrian Catholic Christian and his closeness to 10, Janpath is known by all. A rehabilitation package is thus being prepared for him, under which Thomas, after leaving the CVC post, can either choose to be a member of the Planning Commission, or head the Minorities Commission, or become the chairman of the Port Trust of India. But Thomas is not willing to accept anything other than a governor’s post. Looks like his demand will be accepted.

The BJP’s problems just don’t seem to end in Assam. Looks like Tarun Gogoi is one resourceful person, what with he courting the Assam Gana Parishad. It doesn’t look like the party will form a coalition with the BJP in the coming Vidhan Sabha elections. The AGP’s line is that if it forms a coalition with the BJP, the Congress will get all the Muslim votes but if the party enters the election arena alone, it might get a substantial share of them. Maybe it’s nice to build castles in the air, too.

The Karnataka governor has given consent for a case being filed against the state chief minister. The law says that once the consent is given, it can’t be taken back. That means that when the case against Yeddyurappa is filed in the court, the BJP will try to make someone else the chief minister, something Yeddyurappa many not agree to and deflect from the party and have his batch of supporters also break away from the BJP. Congress’ gameplan is on target because once the histrionics happen in Karnataka, it will be beginning of the end for the party. And when it comes to counting, there’s no one better than the Congress.

Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj is all set to teach the UPA government a lesson regarding CVC Thomas’ appointment. The Attorney General, on behalf of the government, said that the members of the committee had no idea about the case against Thomas. Whereas, on September 3, 2010, when a meeting of the committee (which includes the prime minister, home minister and leader of Opposition) regarding the appointment of the CVC, three people were also invited – Thomas, petroleum secretary Chatterjee and fertilizer secretary Krishnan. Just when the meeting had started, Sushma let the PM and Chidambaram know that she had reservations about Thomas’ name being nominated for the CVC’s seat, because there was a case against him about the palmoline oil scam. Chidambaram then told those present that Thomas’ had been acquitted in the case. In her trademark style, Sushma asked the meeting to be postponed for 24 hours so that an investigation on the matter could take place. The PM then reminded her that the decision had to be taken that very day. Just 15 minutes after this, Prithviraj Chavan got a letter that said, “A majority of the committee has elected Thomas for the CVC’s post but the Opposition leader didn’t agree to it.” The letter had to be signed by all three, that is, the prime minister, home minister and Sushma. Sushma signed the letter and also wrote in her handwriting, “I disagree.” But in modern India, the ruling party sets new rules for a democracy, and where’s the time to listen to disagreements? The Thomas episode is a perfect example.

Looks like the Budget session of the Parliament will take place since the house leader has spoken to two top BJP leaders about the same saying, “Your demand for JPC on the 2G scam is valid but you should let the Parliament function otherwise wrong messages are being sent to the rest of the nation.” BJP is seriously considering the advice.

There is an unannounced war of sorts going on in the Supreme Court – between the Solicitor General and the law minister of the country. Moily wants to know from the Solicitor General Gopalaswamy why he embarrassed the government by mentioning the wearing-in letter by the prime minister in relation to the 2G scam. But Gopalaswamy is all mum about the affair and won’t talk. But his relations with Congress Queen Sonia Gandhi are as sweet as ever and he is in constant talks with her. He is eyeing the judge’s or the attorney general’s post, but Moily and the current Attorney General are against the move.

A fancy five-star hotel being built in Dehradoon is the cause of sleepless nights for the Chief Minister Nishank. It cost him dearly to lock horns with the doctor friend of a top BJP honcho. It is worth mentioning that this lady doctor is a lobbyist for a well-known industrial house in Delhi. When she stood her ground that the road to the five-star will be built on government land, come what may, the district magistrate didn’t agree to it. The chief minister then sided with the DM and told her off. But the BJP leader then started to conspire with Khanduri and Koshyari against Nishank, the chief minister was down on his knees and went to Delhi to apologise to the party leader, who then told him to apologise to the lady whose feelings he had hurt. The CM did exactly that and the political storm was averted.