Deep Throat

Holding Out For A Hero

The DMK has seen the arrival of one more son—Ud­a­yanidhi Stalin , who ann­ounced at a party function that he would play a more active role in politics. The entry of Udayanidhi, a film prod­u­cer and hero in half a dozen passable films, is all­eged by some family members to be aimed at checking the rise of Kani­mo­zhi, who has found greater acceptability after her acquittal in the 2G case. If Stalin exp­ects Udayanidhi to take on Rajnikanth and Kamalahaa­san as well, he should recall how his step-brother M.K. Muthu flopped badly when Karunanidhi fielded him against MGR in the ‘70s.

Paradoxical Bedfellows

Even as NDA allies at the Centre are complaining about not being treated well by the dominant partner, the BJP, the ruling coalition in J&K is working around the disagreements. Both the PDP and the BJP continue to cater to their respective—and mostly contradictory—constituencies, and yet run the government together. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has promised to take the FIR filed against the Army over the killing of three civilians in Shopian to its logical end; her deputy Nirmal Singh of the BJP claims that nothing will be allowed to demoralise the Army, saying it has protection under the AFSPA. Yet both parties assert that the government is running smoothly and gearing up for Panchayat elections in tense South Kashmir.

Family-Friendly Foreword

Here’s something the lit fests won’t tell you about publishing. A photo book on one of India’s premier business fami­lies, including its dynamic pat­riarch, is expected to be rel­eased this year. The draft has gone through various bra­nches of the family for app­roval, and the authors are not exactly complaining. A retired politician, one who held a top constitutional post till rec­ently, is writing a foreword for the book. For years, while this politician held several posts, there were whispers of his proximity to this industrious family. The foreword-writing presents a good occasion for these whispers to resurface.

Overheard The BJP is obsessed about a one-point agenda where UP is concerned—“Amethi mein Rahul Gandhi ko harana hai”—to defeat the Congress president in his family fortress.