Politics is in his blood, his love for cricket borders on obsession, he is young, and despite his age, the heights he has reached, is commendable. But this young leader was caught in a spot a few days ago, when a big lawyer recorded a conversation with him in a five-star hotel in Delhi, regarding the politics in cricket. That’s not all, this lawyer then had an all-powerful Central minister listen to this recording. Sources say this conversation also had something about some give and take. Mr lawyer wanted to present this conversation at a press conference, but the minister averted the disaster by intervening. Then he had the young leader speak to him and it was only then that the matter calmed down a little.

The office in the prime minister’s official residence Panchvati is undergoing renovation. More than 40 carpenters and 350 of their assistants are working there; the work is taking place on a war footing, and everything has to be finished by the first week of September. A supplier from Kirti Nagar area is supplying the finest teakwood; the suppliers have been given a strict warning that the quality of wood should be tested properly and it should not have any knots. The design is such that more than 200 doors are needed, and little room has been kept for windows. The carpenters and their assistants are asked to keep their mobile phones outside. The first time these workers came to work, their tiffin boxes were checked by sniffer dogs keeping security in mind. Some workers raised hell about this, wondering how they can eat food that has been sniffed by a dog. When PM Modi came to know about it, he showed great empathy and asked the officials at the PMO to arrange for lunch for the workers within the premises. A canteen was hurriedly put together, where these 400 workers can have two meals as well as tea and snacks. One day Modi ji himself arrived to inspect the work progress and was surrounded by the SPG. But he shook hands with the labourers and asked them if everything was going well, and if they got everything they needed. The workers were overjoyed at this gesture by the prime minister, and all of them said in unison, “Yes, everything is well.” The host had a look of contentment written all over this face.

When the textile minister had issues with a secretary in her ministry, the latter thought it wise to leave the place for someplace else. Sources close to the ministry say that one day the minister went to Cottage Industries, which comes under the aegis of the ministry, and bought saris worth several lakhs. She also liked an idol of Ganesha, which according to sources cost Rs 8 lakh. It is said that the minister’s personal staff sent the bills for payment to her secretary. They also say that Ms Secretary didn’t like this and retorted back saying there was no way this bill could be passed. To this, Ms Minister replied back saying the textile minister has full right to wear good clothes. Things got so heated between the two that it is said that the secretary complained about this to the Cabinet secretary, who also happens to be her sibling. The matter reached Modi’s ears through the Cabinet secretary, but Modi has his own thoughts about clothes and dressing up; until now, no fingers have not been pointed at him.

Ever since UP’s saffron politician Krishna Raj has become a minister, and has taken over as the minister for state at the ministry to women and child development, the officials are shocked by her attitude. Her first demand was that she be given an office on the same floor of Shastri Bhavan as her senior minister Maneka Gandhi. Somehow, the officials managed to get her an office next to the senior minister. Sources say after that she made an even bigger demand that she wanted an SUV as an official transport. She was then told that the ministers have the option of Maruti Ciaz, and that her senior minister Maneka uses the same car. But the junior minister didn’t budge from her demand and an Innova was somehow arranged for her. Despite all this, she rarely comes to office. The senior minister is worried and wondering how to carry out the prime minister’s orders where the PMO has instructed the Cabinet ministers that every file should be shown to the junior ministers.

India’s Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar is looking at emerging in his new avatar. He wants to do something that puts his name in history. Thus, he has suggested to those close to him that promotions in his ministry should take place based on merit and not seniority. He somehow believes that because of this policy, sometimes even the undeserving get promotions. The present Army Chief Dalbir Suhag is approaching his retirement date, and there is wide speculation about who his descendant will be. Looking at seniority, Rajan Bakshi’s name is more or less final for the next army chief. That is because if Parrikar come up with a new policy about this now, it will take time to draft it and get it approved. Thus this time, Rajan Bakshi’s name seems to be the final one. According to sources, that is the reason why Bakshi has already shortlisted the names of his favourite officials, as to who will be the chief of eastern or western demand, how his personal office will look like, and this time the defense minister can’t intervene even if he wanted to.

BSP’s most prominent leader Satish Mishra seems to be losing the battle for number two in his party to Naseemuddin Siddiqui. In the recent past, Siddiqui has emerged as BSP supremo Mayavati’s eyes and ears. Sources say Behenji takes all big and small decisions in consultation with Siddiqui. If sources are to be believed, Satish Mishra met Behenji and told her what was on his mind, saying he is being ignored in the party. A tad rudely, Behenji replied saying, “The party has given whatever you wanted; you are getting the Rajya Sabha seat again. Please don’t expect any more than this.”

BSP MP Brijesh Pathak, who is now drenched in the saffron colour after having left the elephant ride, was said to be close to Satish Mishra. Pathak was asking for the Mallava seat for someone close to him. When he went to Mishra, it is said the latter expressed inability, and told him to go speak to Behenji directly. When Brijesh Pathak went running to her, the BSP chief told him without mincing her words, “Whenever you come, it is to ask for something. The party has given you so much. What have you given it in exchange?” After this, Pathak connected with BJP’s Hemant Sharma and minister Mahesh Sharma, and joined the party. Sources claims that in the days to come, BSP MLA from Sahibabad Amarpal Sharma might also opt for saffron. Amarmani Tripathi’s son had also been asking for time to meet Behenji for a long time, but he has been unsuccessful so far. So maybe in the days to come the lotus might flower in UP.

The infighting in Mulayam family just doesn’t seem to be settling down. Someone close to Akhilesh claims that the people surrounding Netaji are against Akhilesh, which is a fact known to all. The same source says Netaji is currently spending most of his time with his second wife Sadhna Gupta, their son Pratik, and daughter-in-law Aparna. The Sadhna family believes Netaji has not done justice to Pratik. Netaji’s brother Shivpal Singh Yadav is angry with Akhilesh because he feels he is following instructions from Prof Ramgopal Yadav; Amar Singh, too, is of the same opinion. Netaji has also got the information that Noida’s Sanju Nagar and Lucknow’s Bhasin amassing wealth with both hands and have the protection of Akhilesh. Three LLCs who have the blessings of Ramgopal have a lot of clout in the UP government. At the same time, Netaji, through his close confidante and bureaucrat Anita Singh, has kept tight reins over Akhilesh and the state bureaucracy. Nowadays, however, Akhilesh is stepping out of his father’s shadow and is running the government – something that is not agreeable to Netaji. Sources say relations between son and father have soured to such an extent that Akhilesh is thinking of shifting to his new home.

At present, any political leader or bureaucrat who goes to Netaji with complains about Akhilesh, gets a patient hearing from the man. Not only that, the person is also assured of action on the same. However, Mulayam is said to have not liked the announcement that his daughter-in-law made about contesting the 2017 Assembly elections from Lucknow. In the beginning, even Akhilesh was not agreeable to this decision by Aparna, but sources say Prof Ramgopal made him understand it wasn’t such a bad thing. That is because it was tough for Aparna to win elections from Lucknow, and the voters from the hills that she is banking upon will be divided between her and Congress’ Rita Bahuguna. In a fight between the two, the BJP candidate might be the winner, because BJP’s cadre vote is strong in cities. Shivpal has tried to warn of this to Aparna many times, saying that the opposition group wants to give her the ticket from Lucknow and finish it off. Netaji too has understood the game, and that is why he is angrier with Akhilesh.

Rahul Gandhi’s distance with old Congress leaders has started to increase yet again. During the 15th Lok Sabha, Rahul would be surrounded by his young brigade in the Parliament. This brigade included Bhanwar Jitendra Singh Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jitin Prasad, Dipindra Hudda, Milind Deora, and so on. Most of them have not been able to get into the 16th Lok Sabha. Those who have, such as the likes of Jyotiraditya Scindia, Gaurav Gogoi, Deependra Hudda, are always seen around Rahul. Scindia’s seat is assigned in the third row, but he is also seen sitting next to Rahul until the Parliament is on. The Parliamentarian who has got the seat next to Rahul has hardly got a chance to sit there. Some old hands in the Congress let it slip that it is these friends that have misguided Rahul; Rahul’s mandali not only has a critical opinion of the old hands in the Congress, it also doesn’t shy away from imitating these people and having a good laugh at their expense. Rahul mandali is seen in the Parliament with him, and vanishes the moment he leaves. In the last Parliamentary session, when Sonia Gandhi arrived post-lunch at 3 pm, the entire Opposition bench was vacant. Only a handful of old members such as Mallikarjun Khadge were in the Parliament. Sonia didn’t like what she saw, and it is said she mentioned it to Rahul as well. But the crown prince just won’t mend his ways.