Of conspiracy theories and winter parties

It is well known that New Delhi is a hotbed of conspiracy theories. The capital’s political grapevine is constantly abuzz with “inside” stories about developments in the government and political parties. So here’s the latest conspiracy theory. It is being murmured that while Modi is the “man of the moment”, the newly-inducted defence minister Manohar Parrikar is the person to be watched. Mr Parrikar is said to be a hot favourite with the RSS. Described as a “brahminical organisation,” the RSS is said to have a soft corner for Mr Parrikar who had even emerged as a serious contender for the post of BJP president although he eventually lost to another Sangh favourite Nitin Gadkari. Mr Parrikar’s move from Goa to New Delhi is apparently not so innocent. And the RSS is keeping all options open. While Mr Parrikar remains a reserve candidate, the RSS is keeping a sharp eye on Mr Modi regarding implementation of its core Hindutva agenda. The Sangh and its affiliates are emboldened as they believe this is the right time as the BJP has won a majority on its own. Moreover, the Sangh believes Mr Modi is indebted to it, as their pracharaks had campaigned extensively for him. Clearly, Mr Modi is on test.

Ever since Mr Modi came to power, BJP leaders never fail to underline that it is not business as usual. To begin with, BJP ministers have been told that they should refrain from hosting big parties at their homes. However, finance minister Arun Jaitley defied the diktat and went ahead with his winter bash. This time, of course, it was hosted at his newly done-up bungalow at Krishna Menon Marg. The guest list extensive, ranging from BJP ministers, humble reporters to owner-editors. There is considerable curiosity if parliamentary affairs minister M. Venkaiah Naidu will fly down prawns from AP for his annual winter lunch. While victorious BJP ministers continue to dither, Congress leaders have not allowed their election defeat from going ahead with their parties. Former minister Salman Khurshid and his wife Louise hosted their Christmas lunch as usual while Congress MPs Pramod Tiwari and Sanjay Singh also played host at their homes. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi’s lunch is next in line.

There is a mad scramble for rooms in Shastri Bhavan, which were vacated after a large number of PIB officials moved to their new office at the National Media Centre. I&B officials who had been eyeing these rooms quickly staked claim. It is being joked that I&B officers are constantly on the prowl like land sharks as they keep a lookout for a vacant room or one which is likely to be vacated. Apparently there have been several instances when officers have quickly moved in their personal belongings to claim ownership of the “property.” In many cases it has been found that the rooms have not even been allotted to them officially but the occupants refuse to leave even after they are told about this minor detail. This “land grab” has become so serious that it has been brought to the notice of the urban development ministry which, in turn, has taken it up with the I&B ministry.

Despite the public display of political rivalry, there are numerous instances of strong friendships across party lines. It is not uncommon to see members of rival parties sharing a meal or a cup of tea after they have shouted at each other in Parliament. However, the bitterness between the Congress and the BJP is so strong that their members are wary of being seen in each other’s company. Take the case of BJP’s Lok Sabha MP Meenakshi Lekhi. She is a great friend of former Congress minister Kamal Nath’s wife. In fact, the two have known each other even before Ms Lekhi entered politics. And yet the BJP leader is not comfortable at being spotted with Kamal Nath’s wife. In fact, Ms Lekhi takes pains to see that the two are never photographed together in case it is misunderstood.

The writer is a Delhi-based journalist