Montek Singh Ahluwalia

With former finance minister Pranab Mukherjee’s exit from the government, deputy chairman of planning commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia has now become both de jure and de facto deputy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a unique position, which has made many of the Congressmen envious.

As the Prime Minister happens to be ex-officio chairman of the planning commission, Ahluwalia is a de jure deputy in the plan panel. But since Dr Singh has taken charge of the finance portfolio, Ahluwalia has been wielding power as the de facto finance minister, which has made him the touch point for India’s corporate leaders.
Those corporate honchos, who have met Ahluwalia so far, include Max India chief Analjit Singh, RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani, Kingfisher boss Vijay Mallya and Anil Amabani of ADAG.

Azad nurses his back
Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad will not be able to attend an upcoming conference in London. While all the preparations were done for the conference that will be organised by Bill and Melinda Gates foundation next week, the minister had to cancel his trip at the last minute. Courtesy his back problem.
Azad had travelled on road to Kashmir which seems to have strained his back. While, the physiotherapy sessions are on, the conference on maternal health will definitely have to wait.

Sibal avoids close contact with media
Union IT and HRD minister Kapil Sibal is a known face in the media circles and is known for his articulation and dealing with all sorts of tough questions. However, over the past few days it has been noticed that the minister has been maintaining a low profile and avoiding coming into direct contact with the media.
The minister, it seems, has become wary of the recent bad publicity he generated after he was alleged to have imposed his will on IITs to go in for a common entrance test. With Sibal losing this battle of “one nation one examination”, he seems to have decided not to confront the media.

Congress makes the most of chaos in BJP
Even though BJP in Gujarat is facing a tough time with leaders like Keshubhai Patel, Suresh Mehta and Sanjay Joshi leading an open revolt against chief minister Narendra Modi in the run up to Assembly elections due in November this year, the Congress is believed to have finalised its list of candidates as well.
The Congress which believes in “forward planning” has taken advantage of the chaos in the Gujarat BJP and shortlisted its candidates who will be intimated shortly and directed to start preparing for polls in their respective constituencies. It seems the BJP will be in for tough times in elections this time, both from inside as well as outside.

Singh teases Pawar over Sangma’s nomination
Everyone was pleasantly surprised when at a recent UPA meeting convened to chalk out the strategy on Presidential elections Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked Sharad Pawar whether PA Sangma enjoyed NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s tacit blessings. Pawar vehemently denied this saying he tried convincing Sangma to withdraw in favour of UPA’s Pranab Mukherjee but when failed he accepted Sangma’s resignation.
Though both Pawar and UPA were unanimous in saying no disciplinary action should be taken against Agatha, Sangma’s daughter who happens to be a minister in the UPA government.
The buzz in political circles is that in case defeated Sangma could be returning back to the UPA fold to strengthen it in the North-East.