After facing intense Opposition fire over SIR of electoral rolls, especially in West Bengal, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar appears to have sought divine blessings as he paid obeisance at Tirupati a day after the BJP installed its first-ever government in West Bengal. The CEC was in the eye of the storm throughout the Bengal elections as the Trinamool accused him of “helping" the BJP through large-scale voter deletions and record deployment of central forces.
Stench gives away hidden garbage
Battling severe criticism over poor waste management, the Sangrur district administration erected tents along the route of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s Shukrana Yatra, to hide heaps of garbage from public view. The strategy, however, didn’t work that well. While the tents successfully hid the garbage from sight, the stench continued to affect those who participated in the CM’s outreach programme. People could be seen covering their noses and hurrying past the tents.
Cameras vs guns in Kharar
The fear of Enforcement Directorate raids may or may not unsettle political adversaries, but the recent “money rain" episode in a Kharar housing society, when Rs 21 lakhs in 500-rupee notes was thrown from a 9th floor apartment, has certainly rattled its residents. Upset over mediapersons camping outside the society all day, residents have clashed with journalists, saying the constant glare of cameras was intimidating their children. A passer-by, pointing towards gun-toting CRPF personnel nearby, asked if the children were more scared of their rifles or cameras.
Only literates in Himachal poll
Himachal Pradesh, with a literacy rate of over 99 per cent, appears to be reflecting that achievement in its municipal elections too. Of the 173 candidates in the fray, only one is uneducated. Nearly 18 per cent are postgraduates, while about 34 per cent are graduates. Only 14 candidates, around 8 per cent of the total, have not completed matriculation.
Bishnoi hits out at his own BJP
Former Hisar MP Kuldeep Bishnoi seems to be upset with his own party, the BJP – he has not posted any congratulatory message after its recent victory in the West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry elections. Bishnoi, the son of former Haryana CM Bhajan Lal, recently unleashed a no-holds-barred attack on the party after Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma made some unsavoury remarks about his father. While Bishnoi demanded an apology from Rekha and Haryana BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli, none of them have apologised so far. His close aide claimed that he was not happy with the leadership.
HP’s former CPSes like their ‘kothis’
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has come down heavily on six former Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS) for overstaying in government ‘kothis’. Despite the court’s vacation order on November 13, 2024, the men, and their families, continue to reside in the same official bungalows. The court has observed that the government has not taken any steps to cancel the house allotment. Now it remains to be seen whether the state government will swing into action or remain magnanimous towards the six MLA’s despite the court’s nudge..
Bhatinde wale aloo at Prez banquet
President Droupadi Murmu recently hosted a state banquet for Vietnamese President To Lam. The menu was inspired by Punjab and Haryana food. One dish, “Bhatinde wale aloo", surprised people in Bathinda because locals had never heard of such a dish. It was later found that celebrity chef Harpal Singh Sokhi created the name for the dish. His team prepared the entire menu. As per the menu, “Bhatinde wale aloo” is a dish of baby potatoes with freshly pounded kadhai herbs and dried mango powder.
Contributed by Animesh Singh, Aman Sood, Gaurav Kanthwal, Subhash Rajta, Deepender Deswal, Pratibha Chauhan and Archit Watts
