Party Poopers
The factions have merged, but not the minds. Joint public appearances notwithstanding, all’s not well with relationship between O. Panneerselvam and E. Palaniswami, who replaced him as Tamil Nadu CM. OPS does not visit the CM’s chamber and, even when they share a platform, they hardly interact. OPS meets MLAs and MPs only from his faction. The CM’s refusal to part with the PWD portfolio, a veritable cash cow, is believed have caused this cold war. Common foe Dinakaran’s attempts to destabilise the EPS government may have hit a wall, but there are murmurs of another revolt brewing—this one by OPS.
Proactive Probity
Police officials in Jammu and Kashmir are amused at the NIA’s proactive approach in the state. Recently, the central agency arrested two Kashmiris, including a photojournalist, and accused them of being stone-pelters. Top police officials say they are watching the NIA’s forays in Kashmir with much...