Politics has no permanent friends or foes

There was a time not too long ago when former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh could not tolerate Kuldeep Rathore. The “Raja” never missed an opportunity to express his disdain for the newly appointed state Congress president Rathore, an Anand Sharma loyalist. However, now to get Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu removed, the former Chief Minister had no qualms about backing Rathore for the top party post. Rathore too had no issues making up with the veteran leader, whom he has been critical all along. Probably, he sensed that it was better to patch up with the former Chief Minister to be able to become the party chief.

CM gets credit for win

BJP leaders Shimla legislator and Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, and Chopal MLA Balbir Verma and Shimla Mayor Kusum Sadrat, who campaigned intensively in the ward along with local Sangh Parivar are giving credit for the Sankti ward win of Meera Sharma to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. It was Thakur who picked her up for the bypoll after she resigned as Congress councillor, insiders reveal. They all are patting Thakur’s back for the “right pick” considering Sankti falls in Kasumpati Assembly segment, which is dominated by the Congress. As a trend, the voters in municipal corporation elections go in favour of the ruling party. This was Chief Minister’s first victory in elections after he became Chief Minister, they plead. But personal charisma of Meera Sharma cannot be ruled out as she had won the ward poll twice in the past from the CPM and Congress and it was her third win. Obviously, the BJP leaders are giving credit to the Chief Minister just to be in his good books, reveal insiders.

Morphed picture

Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur earned applause for wearing a hoodie with “NA MO Again” written on it. The picture was posted by Thakur on social media and it even evoked a response from none other than the Prime Minister himself. Many other senior Central BJP leaders too appreciated the picture. However, someone morphed Thakur’s picture and added “Chowkidar chor hai” on the hoodie and posted it. The police have booked the youth for the act. The act shows how intolerant can people get in the present-day politics and indulge in blatant misuse of social media.

When cops were answerless

Kangra police recently launched a drive against drunken driving using testing kits. However, in Dharamsala at places doctors refused to exhale into the testing kits. They alleged that the straws used in machines should be changed each time as these can be infected with contiguous diseases. Poor constables handling the kits had no answers and generally let them pass. However, those facing police action were miffed and questioned why they could not get the reprieve in a similar fashion. They further complained that since there were no local taxis in Dharamsala and they have to travel in their own vehicles after attending party should they stay teetotaler!