Rajasthan MLAs say picture abhi baki hai after real potboiler gets over

This budget session of the Rajasthan Assembly had the perfect script of a Bollywood potboiler.

There was action, emotion and drama. There were ghosts, spirits, a tantrik and even a gun-totting MLA. An MLA even moved around freely after being tested positive in Swine Flu. The state watched as the honourable members of the house indulged in a slugfest that fell just short of fisticuffs.

As the roughly month-long session is about to come to a close, the legislators look forward to move on from real drama and enjoy some reel drama.

But there are yet no invites for the movie show and dinner hosted by chief minister Vasundhara Raje for the legislators; a ritual she has kept up across both her tenures. The informal movie, popcorn and dinner evenings have largely been attended by the ruling party MLAs and sparsely by others.

Raje had always maintained that the informal get together added to cordial social relations. A sentiment echoed by many, “We all live in public eye and that can at times be taxing. Such informal gatherings are relaxing. It is a healthy tradition,” said Banwari Singhal, BJP MLA.

This time, the legislators were expecting a movie show; especially as there …read more