Copyright on Guarantees
With AAP pitting ‘Kejriwal ki guarantee’ against ‘Modi ki guarantee’, ‘Congress ki guarantee’ is caught between the two. Congress believes that the patent for coining pre-poll ‘guarantees’ rests with it as it first chanted the mantra during Karnataka elections and then in Telangana polls. Congress spokespersons maintain that BJP and PM aped the party’s word play by coining ‘Modi ki guarantee’, but it finds itself in a piquant situation with ‘Kejriwal ki guarantee’ as AAP is a sensitive ally. It can’t endorse it either as it risks eclipsing Congress’ own ‘guarantees’. While some Delhi Congress leaders are wondering how to streamline the alliance with AAP and the two, yet competing, guarantees, a little bird says at least two Congress LS candidates in Delhi are raring to chant ‘Kejriwal ki guarantee’.
Experiencing Choppy Ride
Fund-strapped Opposition parties are facing a major crisis during campaigning — lack of helicopters. Apparently, helicopter companies have demanded that all political parties pay upfront 70% of hiring fee and that too in cheque. This has limited the use of choppers, making it difficult for leaders to cover more constituencies and campaign in remote areas. Last heard, Congress leaders were pushing for a chopper to campaign in the last phases.
Specific to Region
Even as India has expanded its regional dialogue partners, Russia remains a close ally for discussing key developments in the region. Senior Russian diplomat and presidential envoy on Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, will be in New Delhi this week to engage with his counterparts on the AfPak region and the necessity for an inclusive government in Kabul. Kabulov, a former envoy to Afghanistan, is considered one of the best Afghan experts.
