Delhi Confidential: Counter attack

Irani with the school students, Friday. (Source: Prem Nath Pandey)

Reacting to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s remarks accusing the opposition of obstructionism, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge pulled out Jaitley’s own remarks made in January 2011 to counter him. Jaitley had apparently said in Ranchi that “Parliament’s job is to conduct discussions but many times, Parliament is used to ignore issues and in such situations, obstruction of Parliament is in favour of democracy” and that “Parliamentary obstruction is not undemocratic”. Jaitley had left the House minutes before Kharge spoke.

Saffron celebration

VHP has some unique programmes to welcome the new Hindu year, Vikram Sambat 2072, on Saturday. A week-long celebration, starting with a hawan and cultural programmes in VHP-run Sanskrit College in Raghubir Nagar, is planned. Volunteers will distribute saffron flags, tulsi plants and Om stickers nationwide. VHP says it is special this year because it is the golden jubilee year of the organisation. It has also made plans to celebrate Ramnavami with a 10-km long procession and 100 tableaux beginning from Ram Leela maidan to Karol Bagh in Delhi.

Seeking Feedback

HRD Minister Smriti Irani had a light moment outside Parliament Friday when she interacted with some students of Haryana’s Sanskar Vidyapeeth who had come to watch Parliament proceedings. Seen laughing and talking to the students, Irani gave them the number of her private secretary, Binita Thakur, and asked them to take her email address from her. Irani encouraged the students to write to her and narrate their experience in Parliament, along with suggestions on improvements.

Source:: Indian Express