Simple function

In the midst of costly wedding ceremonies taking place across the country, a senior leader of the BJP again organised his son’s engagement ritual in a simple way. The politician recently organised the engagement function of his son. But the function was not a swanky affair. Only some selected politicians, officers and family members were present at the event. The engagement was kept so secret that, but for a few close relatives and friends, few knew about it. Those who were invited to the function were informed about it only a day before the ceremony. The rest of them came to know of it only after the function. The event went public only when the politician posted a message on social media about it. The most important part of the ritual was that the politician continued to work till a day before the function. He resumed duty soon after the event. It did not happen for the first time. The wedding ceremony of the politician’s elder son was also a low-key affair.

Laut ke … Ghar Ko Aye

A cabinet minister enmeshed in a controversy has finally returned to public life. He was in a dilemma over whether he should participate in public functions or not. Or, if he does, how should he do so. The minister’s comeback to public life began at a function in the family of a politician. The politician invited all the ministers to the event. After the controversy, the minister was hesitant about taking part in public events. Nevertheless, after he attended the function, he has been seen at a few public events. The minister also participated in a cabinet meeting after three weeks. Soon after attending the cabinet meeting, he shunned his hesitation in appearing before the public. The controversy has, however, stopped his guffaws. The minister is known for uttering double-meaning words and belly laughing, but the controversy has made him serious.

Game of rates

The rate card of a minister has kicked up a lot of discussions in the department functioning under him. The minister has prepared a rate card in the season of transfers. An officer, close to the minister, informed the officials of the department about the rate card. The officer has told everyone that those who wish to get plum postings have to grease the minister’s palm. There are reports that some legislators have requested the minister to transfer some of their chosen officers. But only those who gave carrots were transferred. The minister has kept the price for transfers so high that the officials feel harassed to speak to him about their transfer. People in the corridors of power say the highest amount of money has gone into the pocket of the minister in the transfer season. But the politicians, whose recommendations for transfer of their blue-eyed boys came to nought, are angry with the minister.  They are complaining about him at different places.

Fed up with minister

Some people associated with a department are wearied by the minister’s habit of clicking photographs with them. These people are associated, directly or indirectly, with the department functioning under him. The minister asks those people to have a photo session with him. Ergo, they are so teed-off that they are praying to God for his immediate removal. They also say the minister has barely any knowledge about the activities of the department. Yet he tries to show he has mastered all arts. There are reports that his offstage deals have sapped the department. Although such acts have yet to break the surface, they may go public anytime in the future. His conduct reminds these people of the former minister during whose regime they were happy. 

Birthday affair

A minister of a money-spinning department has turned his birthday into an official affair. The minister organised a function in his constituency on his birthday. He prepared the plan for the function several days before the birthday. Had he organised the function on his own, he would have spent a lot of money. Also, it would have been difficult to gather a crowd for the occasion. So, he decided to make it an official event. He invited the head of state as the chief guest to the function. Because the head of state was present, the minister had no difficulty in collecting a crowd for whom he threw a party on government expenses. These days, Goddess Lakshmi is showering blessings on this minister. But he did not spend a single penny from his pocket on his birthday. Now, the minister is saying that he has presented a lot of projects to his constituency. The people in the corridors of power say he is busy setting up his network from Delhi to Bhopal.

Endless desires

The maxim that men’s desires have no end is apt for a former minister. This former minister was an MLA from the Congress that he left to join the BJP and became a minister. He fought an assembly by-election but lost it. Ergo, he had to resign from the ministry. Now that he lost his ministerial berth, he wants to become the head of a corporation. The former legislator has met the BJP leaders and expressed his desire to become the head of a corporation. There are reports that a senior leader of the BJP assured him that he would be adjusted to any place. But many BJP leaders are opposed to giving him any position. Those who are opposed to this leader say he may return to the Congress before the next assembly election. Thus, he should not get much importance.