Twists and turns

 

 

Chetan Chauhan : Delhi

In whose court lies the ball?

BJP’s east Delhi candidate and former cricketer, Chetan Chauhan, in his hey day thought nothing of taking on the likes of super speedster Australian, Jeff Thomson. But contesting from a constituency, where the real threat comes from his own party workers protesting against an 'outsider', Chauhan looks circumspect. "In cricket you know where the ball is coming from. In politics, anyone can throw the ball at you," the two-time MP from Amroha, told TSI. Sounded troubled! Giridhar Gomango : Orissa

Family first

After almost a decade, the people of Koraput district were happy to see a political family united. Former Union minister Giridhar Gomango came to the Dibirisibg booth to vote with wife Hema and son Sisir. The reason for this joy: Despite being flayed for promoting family, Giridhar has convinced the Cong high command of the wisdom of allotting tickets to Hema and Sisir. NTR (jr.) : Andhra Pradesh

TV blitz from bed

Pretenders are dead, long live the pretender! Years after he departed from the scene, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao or NTR still counts in Andhra Pradesh. His name is commonly flogged by political parties – irrespective of agendas. And now, with the emergence of grandson NTR (Jr), the real heir apparent may have just arrived. He was emerging as star campaigner for TDP until his car overturned and he injured his forehead and ribs. Junior has used this period to begin a unique TV campaign from his sick bed, with a life size portrait of grandfather forming the backdrop. Farooq Abdullah : Jammu and Kashmir

Brother vs sister NC president Farooq Abdullah is contesting from Srinagar. There are just two glitches: One, the formidable presence of prominent Shia cleric Maulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari in the fray. Two, his sister is the Awami National Conference candidate from the same seat. Yeh basanti ke izzat ka sawaal hai. You have enjoyed my films, now vote L.K. Advani

-Hema Malini Sanjay Dutt : Uttar Pradesh

Reel life his real life

Cine star Sanjay Dutt may have been forced out of the election fray from Lucknow after a court order, but that has not stopped him from hopping across the country to campaign for 'elder brother' Amar Singh’s Samajwadi Party. He is camping in Singh’s bungalow in Lucknow. But the UP elections will continue till May 13 and Dutt has shooting dates after April 29. So that's how long he has to shoot his mouth off. Is Behenji pleased or disapppointed? Jarnail Singh & chidambaram episode : Punjab

Will he, won't he?

Jarnail Singh who flung his shoe at Home Minister P Chidambaram is just now cooling his heels at home. Singh’s paper, the Dainik Jagran, has not yet taken any action against him; but he has also not been asked to report for work. And his press accreditation card confiscated by the Sansad Marg police is yet to be returned. But Singh has offers from the Shiromani Akali Dal to join politics. Will he, won't he? H D Devegowda : Karnataka

Immersed in mantras As elections draw near, former prime minister and Third Front aspirant H.D. Devegowda – veteran socialist, atheist and, ah yes, 'humble farmer' – is indulging himself in liberal doses of 'homas' and 'havanas'. To be sure, his joining hands with the Left has nothing whatsoever to do with his private beliefs! Only trouble is, the workers in his JD (U) almost never know where their leader is at any given moment – so immersed does he remain in these mantras!