Delhi: Poor George Fernandes. His efforts to ensure transparency in the Defence Ministry are vexing him. In one of his reports, CVC N. Vittal had suggested the involvement of some arms dealers in a 1995 deal. When the ministry sought proof, Vittal said his remark was made on the basis of "preponderance of probability". Wonder what the honourable CVC meant by that.

Lobbying for Love

Chennai: When a young Kuwaiti woman, Dhalal Salag Al Aazmi, eloped with her father's chauffeur to India and was caught at the Chennai airport for travelling on a fake passport, her deportation seemed imminent. But her tale of love melted many hearts, including that of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and MDMK leader Vaiko. Jayalalithaa told the state Assembly that she had asked the chief secretary to write to the Centre appealing that Aazmi be allowed to stay in India and be granted citizenship. Vaiko too appealed to Home Minister L.K. Advani and was reportedly assured that Aazmi wouldn't be deported. All's fair in love in Indian politics.

Voice Over

Delhi: A.B. Vajpayee's meeting with Narendra Modi when the Gujarat chief minister came to Delhi on March 27 was, according to Modi, a calm event. But newspapers said the prime minister gave Modi a firing. So who put Vajpayee's alleged words to the press? BJP sources point to Ashok Tandon, journalist-turned-PMO official. It may be debatable. What is not is his long-standing tiff with Modi ever since Modi complained to Vajpayee about an earlier media leak that was apparently Tandon's doing. The Hindutva Undivided Family is a happy lot indeed.

Relatively Speaking

Chandigarh: Radical Akali leader and MP Simranjit Singh Mann is facing a piquant situation ever since the Congress Government took over in Punjab. The reason lies in his being related to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh-their wives are sisters. The word has since spread, and ordinary mortals, seeking favours of all kinds, have been pestering Mann to put in a word with his saandu (sister-in-law's husband). Mann can only squirm with embarrassment at such requests. For, not many know that Mann is not even on talking terms with the chief minister. Also, the Congress is a party Mann loves to hate.