POLITICAL GOOGLY: Dungarpur joins the BJP

Vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat continues to haunt the Congress in Rajasthan. Every political move that foils Congress plans-and there aren't too many-is attributed to him. The latest is the induction of Raj Singh Dungarpur, former BCCI chief and erstwhile maharaja of Dungarpur, into the BJP. The Congress insists that he was all set to join them when Shekhawat staged a coup.

Not so long ago, two former BJP Rajput leaders, Devi Singh Bhatti and Lokendra Singh Kalvi, who now enjoy tacit Congress support, were manhandled at the Pratap Foundation's massive Rajput rally in Jaipur while the Congress leaders on the dais watched helplessly. That one incident demolished what little credibility Bhatti and Kalvi enjoyed. The Congress, which was hoping to tap in on their following, credit this manoeuvre to Shekhawat.

Another feather in Shekhawat's cap is the about-turn that the Jat Mahasabha took. From being staunchly anti-Shekhawat, it now pays the vice-president all possible accolades, point out Congress leaders.

Is it Shekhawat phobia? "Well, his brain does scare us," admits a PCC leader. Besides, "no one else in the state BJP can even think of the things that are materialising", he says. A compliment for Shekhawat, but utter contempt for his former party.

CAS HUMOUR: Just when you thought you heard all the jokes about CAS, leave it to the information and broadcasting minister to come up with one. When an MP commented on his weight, Ravi Shankar Prasad pointed to his not-so-flat stomach and said, "Oh well, this is my set-top box." It clearly shows what's on his mind and on some other parts of his anatomy as well. Then again, for someone who has borne the brunt of all the one liners about conditional access, maybe it was time he joined in the fun.

MAYA MYSTERY: At the end of the Mayawati chapter in Lucknow, her motive still eludes the BJP leadership. Her phone call to Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani did not shed much light on the mystery. She reportedly maintained she had informed Lalji Tandon before calling for fresh elections. But since Mayawati had recently referred to him as "Lalchi Tandon", it did not convince many. Not even Advani, who had been her supporter.

CONFESSIONAL

Q. What are the achievements of the PDP-Congress regime?
A. The people have started approaching their representatives. Tourism has got a boost. About 350 MPs visited the state in one month. The President and the prime minister came too.

Q. What about the offer of "unconditional dialogue" with the militants?
A. We will press the Centre to talk to Pakistan. N.N. Vohra was appointed interlocutor on our request.

Q. Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed called Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee to Kashmir but did not invite you.
A. The Congress will not share the dais with the BJP. Our coalition is working smoothly.

Q. What about the repatriation of Kashmiri Pandits?
A. The groundwork has been done. Unfortunately, the Nandimarg incident derailed the process. Kashmir is incomplete without the Kashmiri Pandits.

Q. The Congress lacks leaders with a mass base.
A. Sonia Gandhi is still No. 1.

Q. If the Congress wins in the assembly elections, will it be Sonia's victory or the Congress'?
A. It is collective responsibility. Sonia is the undisputed leader. We will win Mizoram along with the four other states.

Q. What will be the key issue in these elections?
A. Good performance, good leadership, policies, programmes and secularism.

Q. Is the forthcoming elections a battle between Sonia and Vajpayee?
A. No. Between the Congress and the BJP.

Seedhi Baat is telecast on Aaj Tak on Sundays at 9.30 p.m. and Mondays at 12.30 a.m.