Now even institutions like Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, to have been painted saffron. A Diwali Mela on its premises was inaugurated by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. This institution is headed by an old RSS worker and former journalist Ram Bahadur Rai and has become a den of the RSS. During the meal, Bhagwat met a lot of Sangh workers and officials – for about five minutes each. Bhagwat got public’s feedback and workers got back their honour.

Parvesh Sahib Singh Varma too is upset at being scolded by the party high command over Bawana by-election debacle. He was made in charge of the seat mainly because Bawana was a Jat-dominated seat. Aam Aadmi Party’s MLA Ved Prakash who had resigned from the party and the seat to join the BJP had been fielded. Both parties had put their prestige at stake here. But, Pravesh did not venture out of the house on the pretext of suffering from dengue though the real reason was Jats’ antipathy to BJP. After BJP lost the polls, both Pravesh and local MP Udit Raj were summoned by Amit Shah. Both were made to wait for hours while despite losing elections, Ved Prakash was called in immediately though he had turned up much later than the two. He was apparently assured that he would soon be adjusted in the party. After that, the two leaders were called in and gave a dressing down by Shah.

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).

While on the one hand, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das is busy in celebrations of completion of 1000 days of his government, on the other former Chief Minister of the state Arjun Munda is unable to overcome the grief emanating from being ignored by the party. A hurt Munda recently invited his supporter MLAs over dinner in Ranchi. Only 8 MLAs is turned up. Munda is learnt to have told them that the adverse conditions were prevailing and his patience was being tested by the party. Even his political existence was under threat and options were getting reduced with every passing day. He asked the legislators how many of them were ready to support him if he takes a drastic step soon. All of them raise their hands. After the dinner ended, the news reached Raghubar Das as well. He duly informed the party high command. That is why Munda who could not even speak to Amit Shah on Modi for last 3 years was summoned by Shah to Delhi. First Amit Shah and then Narendra Modi gave Munda patient earring. He was assured that first he will be inducted into the Rajya Sabha and then will be given a significant position in the party. Arjun Munda does not seem inclined to split the party anymore.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia is in a dilemma over the course of her future politics. She is trying to understand the nuances of Delhi leaders. She is learnt to have met the Prime Minister a day before cabinet reshuffle and Modi talked to her about the probable candidates. One of them was Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Vasundhara had her own ideas about this guy whom she considers was a product of opportunistic politics. She had strong reservations about Rathore which she shared with Modi. Next day when the cabinet was reshuffled Rathore instead of being demoted, was rewarded by party high command. Vasundhara was left thinking that it would have been prudent had she kept her ideas to herself.

Nirmala Sitharaman has been rewarded for her silence and loyalty. In fact, she was among the first to be asked to resign from the Union Cabinet before the reshuffle. Soon the core team of Amit Shah tried to find out reactions of those who had been asked to put in their papers. Strongest reactions came from Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Phaggan Singh Kulaste. Rudy was not only agitated but he also fulminated a lot. He said if non-performance was the basis of his ouster from the Cabinet, why not was he allowed to clear his position. According to sources, he was seeking appointment to meet the Prime Minister one on one for past 8 months. But PMO did not spare any time. Even during appraisal of his ministry, the PMO used to call the secretary of the ministry and take his presentation. In such a situation when was minister’s accountability fixed? When was he allowed to convey his point of view? There is an inherent lesson in this episode – top leadership has always very short ears but has a very long nose.