ELEGANT EVENING WITH NAQVIS
Last week clearly was a week of celebrations for the BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. First he will return to the Rajya Sabha. With the kind of confusion in the BJP, no one was sure if Naqvi would make it.
The second celebration for the Naqvi family was the wedding of their son Arshad Naqvi. The reception was at a five-star hotel. It was an elegant evening with a royal gathering of political bigwigs. The Prime Minister came to bless the couple and spent time chatting with other dignitaries.
Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Dr Karan Singh, BJP leader Rajnath Singh and Sachin Pilot were also present. Arun Jaitely and Rajeev Shukla spent the evening together most probably discussing the fate of the IPL and BCCI. The two new young faces of the Gadkari’s crisis team in the BJP — Varun Gandhi and Vani Tripathi were also present. Abhishek Manu Singhvi did drop in to wish the new couple.
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FRUITS FOR VIPs
Delhi is a place where leaders from different states carry small gifts to VVIPs, considered politically appropriate. Last week any top leader’s house you went to, you were served syrupy-sweet Shahi litchis and Jardalu mangoes, admired for their size, aroma and pulp. Many VVIPs in New Delhi received 5-kg packets of both fruits colorfully wrapped with words, Bihar Ke Mukhya Mantri Nitish Kumar Se Saprem Bhent. They were sent from Bihar with special refrigeration facilities to New Delhi.
During the apple and cherry season, Himachal Pradesh leaders bring boxes to Central leaders. Some are transported from their personal orchards while some are bought from Khan and Bengali market here under the pretence of having travelled all the way from the hills in their cars.
From Mumbai, Maharashtra’s leaders get Alphansos during the season; from Andhra Pradesh the most valued offerings are the special mango Begum Palli and the famous Shaarifa (custard apple). From Kashmir, it is either Kagazi Badams or the very rare Amri apple. We also have the special cashewnuts with skin sent by leaders who want to create a real impression. The miniature seedless papaya from the North-East as also pineapples are also a real big deal. From Bengal, its the special sweet dish Mishti Doi and Kerala’s smoothies travel with the crispest coconut chips. Then, we have various leaders travelling abroad picking up chocolates, cheese and perfumes by the dozen to smooth their pathways in Delhi’s Byzantine corridors.
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OBSESSION WITH RS
Delhi’s obsession with the Rajya Sabha is natural. It is one place where party leaders, the real rulers of Delhi, have complete sway. While the Congress uses the tactic of keeping its cards close to its chest, this time there was nervousness.
Though all sitting ministers have been accommodated, speculations about some of them like Mr Anand Sharma and Mr Jairam Ramesh kept them on tenterhooks. Comfortable cross-country berths were found to accommodate each of them and all is now well. The BJP pulled off some surprises and there were allegations of money bags against JD(U) and JMM. On the whole, the Congress circles heaved a sigh of relief.
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