Regional journal: Nadda’s 40-day extension to end soon?-OxBig News Network

Is BJP chief JP Nadda’s 40-day extension, given in consultation with the RSS, going to end soon? An agreement on a 40-day window to find a new BJP chief is learnt to have been sealed at the March 30 meeting between PM Narendra Modi and the RSS top brass in Nagpur. BJP insiders are now anticipating a near May 10 timeline for the new party chief’s election.

Birla keeps date with martyr’s kin

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla this week kept his date with the family of 2019 Pulwama martyr Hemraj, who belonged to his Lok Sabha segment of Kota. Birla assumed the charge of the master of ceremonies at the wedding of the late CRPF soldier’s daughter at Sangod village. He performed the traditional “bhaat” ritual, which is supposed to be performed by the maternal uncle of the bride, and presented customary gifts.

Five turbans for PM Modi!

On the eve of PM Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Haryana, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini reached Hisar in the evening. While the PM was to be welcomed with flowers, the CM decided late in the evening that he should be greeted with a turban as well. After taking the security clearance, one particular shop in Fatehabad was opened well past the closing time and a colourful turban was chosen by the CM. However, since nobody knew the size that would fit the PM, the turban was bought in five sizes. The colourful turban did serve the purpose it was picked up for — it caught everyone’s eye!

Cong leaders scramble for media glare

There seems to be a scramble between HP Congress leaders to stage protests and issue statements in support of the Gandhi family in the National Herald case. So much so that the leaders, including ministers, are themselves approaching the media to take their bytes while lashing out at the BJP to please their political bosses. In fact, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh had a virtual spat with an anchor of a national news channel who retorted that “you were keen to come on our show and approached us”.

Fund demand stumps HP ministers

Himachal’s financial crisis has left Congress MLAs and ministers scrambling for funds to push developmental projects. The much-awaited super-specialty hospital in Solan is grappling with resource shortages, while the Health Department struggles to fund a 50-bed facility in Dharampur.  When pressed by the media, Health Minister and Solan MLA Dr Dhani Ram Shandil insisted that funding would not hinder progress. Yet, his own department is exploring stopgap measures, including charging for prescription slips, to generate revenue.

Protest turns promo for film

On his way to join a protest outside the Mohali Cybercrime police station where LoP Partap Bajwa was to be quizzed over his “50 bombs in Punjab” remark, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring took a moment to promote Vikram Bajwa’s film. During a live FB video from the vehicle, with Bajwa and others by his side, Warring said to Vikram, “This boy has made a film. We will go and watch it.” Titled “Sunny di Bunny”, the film is directed by Smeep Kang and stars Vikram and Mahi Sharma.

(Contributed by Aditi Tandon, Geetanjali Gayatri, Pratibha Chauhan, Ambika Sharma and Archit Watts)