Incidentally, it was the same astrologer who had told the BJP, at a time when the Congress was tying up with the JD (S) three years back, that he saw a strong likelihood of the BJP in a coalition with Deve Gowda’s second son Kumaraswamy at some point. Gowda has great faith in his astrologer since he was the one who predicted that Gowda would one day be prime minister. His reputation has been further enhanced since he foresaw the Left withdrawing support to the UPA before it was common knowledge. The question is: does the astrologer advise Gowda or is it vice versa?

Unconstructive approach

There's major building activity at the BJP central headquarters on 11 Ashoka Road. Many of the cubicles and rooms constructed over the years at the back of the building meant to house RSS pracharaks and cell convenors are being demolished. These are being rebuilt on the west side of the main bungalow. It seems that the superstitious BJP president Rajnath Singh is acting on advice of a vastu expert who says the party fortunes will change if the vastu flaws are rectified. Luckily for the BJP, the CPWD has looked the other way to the many unauthorised structures on the premises.

Last journey

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Das Munsi has invited 15 Lok Sabha MPs for a trip to the US and Mexico. Several of the invitees to this tempting junket are Opposition MPs who make the maximum noise in Parliament and created problems for the minister. Dasmunshi describes his trip as just a goodwill gesture but to one MP he confided that it was a farewell trip.

... contd.