Former foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon, a seasoned China hand, has been acting as unofficial adviser to the Government on Sino-Indian relations. With relations between the two countries taking a turn for the worse, it appears that Menon will soon be designated PM’s adviser on China. After his retirement as foreign secretary in July, Menon was slotted to get a high profile post as adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office, but the joint statement at Sharm-el-Sheikh on the eve of his retirement forced a re-scheduling of his re-appointment.

Raja’s swan song

There has been a realignment in Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s fractious family, following raids in connection with the telecom scam. Till recently Fertiliser Minister M K Azhagiri was not on speaking terms with his cousin, Minister for Textiles Dayanidhi Maran, but now the two, along with Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin, are on the same side. The common target is Communication Minister A Raja. The three have taken the position that it is up to Raja to disprove the charges against him and the DMK has nothing to do with it. The only members of the family batting for Raja are Karunanidhi’s daughter Kanimozhi and her mother, Rajati. Raja, meanwhile, is trying to protect himself by dragging in the Prime Minister’s name. Incidentally, Swan Telecom, which benefited by advancing the date for opening the bids, is believed to have a link with a top politician from Maharashtra.

Question of trust

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