Bill Gates in Jodhpur
In a surprise visit, Bill Gates arrived in Jodhpur on Thursday evening on a chartered flight. He was accompanied by five persons. From the airport, Gates headed straight to the Umaid Bhawan Palace with his entourage. Not much is known about the purpose of his visit and his schedule in Jodhpur. Hotel sources said had he had come on a leisure trip and there was no special purpose behind his trip. Sources said that he will be staying in Jodhpur for two days and is expected to leave on Saturday. Hotel general manager Sanjay Umashankar said Gates may visit some famous tourist spots in the city.
Bill Gates is known to be associated with an NGO, Malinda Foundation. Sources say he may be interested in the activities of the NGO, Jal Bhagirathi Foundation, floated by the erstwhile ruler of Jodhpur, Gaj Singh. He may meet Gaj Singh on Friday. According to sources, he has come to Jodhpur from Pune, where he had visited a software company
Bill Gates is known to be associated with an NGO, Malinda Foundation. Sources say he may be interested in the activities of the NGO, Jal Bhagirathi Foundation, floated by the erstwhile ruler of Jodhpur, Gaj Singh. He may meet Gaj Singh on Friday. According to sources, he has come to Jodhpur from Pune, where he had visited a software company
BJP to change 140 candidates
In a determined effort to beat back anti-incumbency and retain power in Rajasthan, the BJP has indicated that it will go to assembly polls with a distinctly new face by changing its candidates in as many as 140 of the 200 constituencies. The likely discards may be evenly split between the sitting MLAs and those who were fielded but failed to make it five years ago.
The party, which had hinted about its plan to axe a majority of its nominees in the last polls, went public with its desire with L K Advani declaring, while referring to the Gujarat model, that non-performing legislators would have to make way for fresh faces. Advani’s remarks at a Jaipur rally came a day before the party’s central election committee begins its deliberations in New Delhi to decide on the nominations for Rajasthan. Changing sitting legislators or those who have been around for sometime has always been a difficult decision. While the sitting MLAs accumulate huge amount of incumbency which gets transferred to the party, dropping them carries the risk of dissidence and sabotage.
The party, which had hinted about its plan to axe a majority of its nominees in the last polls, went public with its desire with L K Advani declaring, while referring to the Gujarat model, that non-performing legislators would have to make way for fresh faces. Advani’s remarks at a Jaipur rally came a day before the party’s central election committee begins its deliberations in New Delhi to decide on the nominations for Rajasthan. Changing sitting legislators or those who have been around for sometime has always been a difficult decision. While the sitting MLAs accumulate huge amount of incumbency which gets transferred to the party, dropping them carries the risk of dissidence and sabotage.
Gyan Prakash Pilania on Jat Vote bank
BJP MP and Jat leader Gyan Prakash Pilania has advised party general secretary Gopinath Munde to concentrate on strategic planning to ensure that the Jat community stick to the party. he also hinted that the Jats have drifted towards Congress. If the biggest farming community still supports BJP, it might win the elections. The Jats have still not forgotten that chief minister Vasundhara Raje is a Jat ‘bahu’ and required the community’s support and patronage, he added.
The Jat leader, however, warned that the Jats may not support BJP in very large numbers and those who would still support the party would do so on a case to caste basis. So the party would have to draw up new strategies to keep the Jat votes intact, he added. Pilania, who played a key role in the 2003 Assembly election by asking his community to support BJP, admitted that the anti-incumbency factor would also work against the party, hence it should highlight the developmental works undertaken by the BJP government.
“It was a heart-to-heart talk where an experienced leader like Munde wanted to know my views on the election prospects and of the Jat community’s support and I did not mince words while explaining to him the current political scenario,” said Pilania.
The Jat leader, however, warned that the Jats may not support BJP in very large numbers and those who would still support the party would do so on a case to caste basis. So the party would have to draw up new strategies to keep the Jat votes intact, he added. Pilania, who played a key role in the 2003 Assembly election by asking his community to support BJP, admitted that the anti-incumbency factor would also work against the party, hence it should highlight the developmental works undertaken by the BJP government.
“It was a heart-to-heart talk where an experienced leader like Munde wanted to know my views on the election prospects and of the Jat community’s support and I did not mince words while explaining to him the current political scenario,” said Pilania.
There are at least six CM-aspirants in Congress !!!
A growing interference by regional leaders-cum-CM aspirants is proving a setback for Congress. There seems to be at least six aspirants for the coveted chair in Congress and most of them have carved a space for themselves in Delhi durbar. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajasthan PCC chief C P Joshi were the only two names doing the rounds initially, but the numbers are increasing as the poll dates come closer.
While Gehlot and Joshi continue to remain in the fray, former union minister Girija Vyas, Sachin Pilot, B D Kalla and Harendra Mirdha are a few inclusions in the list of potential chief ministers. Party sources claimed that the high command has also not projected anybody, officially or unofficially, as it could have fuelled the intraparty feud. Instead, the party leadership is keeping its options open.
While Gehlot and Joshi continue to remain in the fray, former union minister Girija Vyas, Sachin Pilot, B D Kalla and Harendra Mirdha are a few inclusions in the list of potential chief ministers. Party sources claimed that the high command has also not projected anybody, officially or unofficially, as it could have fuelled the intraparty feud. Instead, the party leadership is keeping its options open.
