Deep Throat

Guideline For Congress

Much like the generational shift that happened in the BJP, the Congress old guard is bracing for major changes. The grand old party is preparing for Rahul Gandhi to take up the reins as president, but fate looks uncertain for senior leaders Ahmed Patel, Motilal Vora, Ambika Soni and Janardan Dwivedi. The fort-holding veterans, it seems to be a foregone conclusion, may not find a place in ‘Team RG’. Lobbying has already started among the younger leaders for the top posts. For the older lot, the Congress may have to think of something along the line of BJP’s Margdarshak Mandal as a parking place. 

PC Wants To Be VP

P. Chidambaram has emerged as a power centre in Tamil Nadu Congress with leaders opposed to TNCC chief S. Thirunavukarasar urging PC to become the party’s next state president. The former finance minister, rather than being confined to a state role, is said to be eyeing the post of Congress vice-president once Rahul gets elevated. Hence his increased attacks on PM Narendra Modi and FM Arun Jaitley on DeMo and GST, alongside heightened Twitter activity. PC’s opponents in Delhi are suggesting to the high command that he should lead the TN unit and revive the state Congress. If that fails to stop PC, his detractors plan to propose Mallikarjun Kharge for the VP’s post, contending that the Dalit leader’s promotion will help the party in a poll year in Karnataka.

Aam Hunt For Bride

Outlook  does not have a classifieds section; else we would probably have received an ad that has had Punjab in splits for a while now. A noted news daily carried a matrimonial ad for Punjab Aam Admi Party leader Himmat Singh Shergill. The 38-year-old barrister, who was trained in the UK and contested (unsuccessfully) from his home state for Lok Sabha and assembly elections, seems to be seeking a wife. The ad led to a round of colourful WhatsApp jokes in Punjabi. AAP spinners have defended the public search for love, saying that is how the common man does it anyway; so why not the party of the aam aadmi.

Overheard The CPI(M) blacks out Prakash Karat? The former general secretary’s piece in Outlook’s anniversary issue finds no mention in the party’s official Twitter handle @cpimspeaks.