A scary thought
Union minister of human resources development Smriti Irani’s fiery speech in Parliament may have won her some accolades, but her tone and temper have led to a fear psychosis and anxiety among Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs in Uttar Pradesh. After her apparently riveting performance in Parliament, a section of the media has been promoting Ms Irani as the probable chief ministerial candidate for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections next year, which has left the BJP MLAs scared.
“After seeing her temper and expression on TV, I even dread the idea of working under her. If she is a chief ministerial candidate of the party, I would rather not contest at all,” said a senior BJP MLA from eastern Uttar Pradesh. Another BJP legislator walked up to the press gallery in the state Vidhan Sabha a day after Ms Irani exploded in the Lok Sabha and told mediapersons, “You all better beware. If she comes to Uttar Pradesh, you will have to run for cover.”
Yet another BJP MLA remarked, “After watching Ms Irani in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Mayawati seems to be a perfectly polite lady... To think we have been wary of Behenji’s temper all these years.” Ms Irani’s speech has surely made an impact in Uttar Pradesh and all parties are now waiting for the next act to unfold.
Mamata Jatras
When she came to power in West Bengal in May 2011, Trinamul chief Mamata Banerjee’s dramatic achievement spawned a string of jatras (folk theatre). Even before she could occupy the chief minister’s chair at Writers’ Building, scripts were being written on Didi’s life. Several dramas with titles like Banglar Masnade Mamata (Mamata on Bengal’s Throne), Mahasangrame Joyee Mamata (Mamata Triumphs in Great Battle), Swapner Netri Mamata (Dream Leader Mamata) were written to be launched during Durga Puja in 2011 in various districts of the state.
One woman made the most of this craze for Didi-centric jatras. Although she did not have a face that exactly resembled that of Ms Banerjee’s, stage actress Ruma Chakraborty, when dressed in her trademark blue or green-bordered cotton sari with a jhola hanging from her shoulder and striding in hawai chappals, could easily pass of as poor man’s Didi.
That was in 2011. Five years later, at a time when Ms Banerjee is preparing to seek a fresh mandate from the people, Ms Chakraborty is also anxiously waiting for the release of a film titled Baghini (The Tigress). While not exactly a biopic, the movie is heavily inspired by Ms Banerjee’s life and political struggle. Needless to say, Ms Chakraborty is basking in Didi’s reflected glory and enjoying the public attention.
BJP’S self-goal
The popularity of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union president Kanhaiya Kumar is skyrocketing so much so that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal may be getting insecure. While the comparison may be called preposterous to say the least, given that we are talking about a “student” in a university, some may choose to disagree after the Left parties have already made him campaign partner in the crucial Assembly polls in West Bengal. Mr Kumar’s stint in Tihar Jail has actually made him a hero.
“It only brings back memories of the Kejriwal days of fasting on the roads in Delhi,” a politician said. With news channels flashing exclusives and first interviews with Mr Kumar after he came out on interim bail — surely a name one hadn’t heard of a few months back — has become a household name today.
And the credit for this goes to the Centre, which mishandled the issue.
An ingenuous query
Known for suggesting several innovative ideas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while delivering a speech in the Lok Sabha in response to the discussion on motion of thanks to the President’s address, wondered if it could be possible that on March 8 (International Women’s Day) only women MPs be allowed to speak during the day’s legislative business in both the Houses of Parliament.
While several women MPs welcomed the suggestion by thumping the benches, Aam Aadmi Party MP Bhagwant Mann sought to know from the Speaker what would happen to several small parties like his, where there are no women MPs. The entire House burst out into peals of laughter on his “innocent” query.
