Friday, 21 October 2022 | Gajendra Singh Negi
WHAT’S BREWING UP?
After a great hype about an imminent reshuffle in the cabinet of Pushkar Singh Dhami or even something bigger fizzled out things appeared to be easy for the State government on the political front. However recent visits of the powerful National General Secretary of the BJP Kailash Vijayvargiya and in charge of the Uttarakhand BJP Dushyant Gautam clearly underlie that something is brewing up in the saffron party and that the central leadership is keeping a close eye on the developments in the Himalayan state. Considered a master of realpolitik, Vijayvargiya is learnt to have tersely told the Uttarakhand ministers to either perform or perish while adding that the party high command is keeping a close watch on their actions. In the marathon meeting with the ministers, Vijayvargiya asked them to focus on better coordination with party organisation and think twice before they speak in public. He also sought a report card from the ministers and their plans for the future. Close on the heels of his visit, Gautam came to the State and held meetings with the CM and his ministers. Though the party leaders claim that these meetings focussed on better coordination between government and organisation and nothing else should be drawn from them, the fact remains that the central leadership has a habit of springing surprises in Uttarakhand.
BUILDER BABA
Having made a mega business empire after making a humble beginning as a Yoga practitioner, the world famous Baba has now acquired a new Avatar by venturing into the lucrative business of real estate. He has offered his devotees and others residential plots in a pristine location in the serene Garhwal hills. His trust reportedly owns a vast stretch of land in the mountains which is less than an hour drive from the Yoga township of Rishikesh. Locals suggest that a local politician helped Baba in getting this piece of land after which Baba showered his blessings that manifested in a surprise ticket to this politician in the assembly elections held early this year. It is suggested that the Uttarakhand government which has failed in developing small townships in the hills due to acute shortage of funds should hand over the onerous task to the Baba. His larger than life persona, immense manipulative skills and presence of obliging Bhakts everywhere would ensure that these projects face no financial and other constraints.
RESPITE FOR RESOURCEFUL
The stay imposed by the Uttarakhand High Court on the termination of 228 ad hoc employees of Vidhan Sabha has not only enthused these workers and their families but has also come as a major relief for some Netas and their middlemen. Had the court abstained from ordering a stay, some of the aggrieved employees could have spilled the beans about the modus operandi of the racket involved in the shoddy business of distributing jobs in the State assembly in the name of privilege. However, the manner in which these employees were terminated in violation of the Uttaranchal Temporary Government Servants (termination of service) regulation -2003, it was expected that the HC would grant a stay on their removal from service. The talk going around the town suggests that loopholes were deliberately left in the termination process to protect the employees and their political benefactors.
