Sun TV diplomacy

Union textiles minister and DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran has been found gifting expensive HDTV sets and DTH antennas to his ministerial colleagues, opposition leaders, and dear friends, ostensibly to help them “watch IPL matches without commercial breaks”.

The market price of an HDTV (high-definition TV) set and dish antenna is over Rs one lakh.

While the largesse is being sought to be linked to the ongoing IPL season, senior BJP leaders describe it as “SUN TV diplomacy” aimed at wooing political friends.

Tharoor’s matrimonial problems

Minister of state for external affairs and Congress MP Sashi Tharoor has reportedly met BJP leader Arun Jaitley in regard to some of his matrimonial problems.

Tharoor’s second wife, a Canadian woman, is reported to have sought divorce and the minister is worried how his third marriage, when he plans one, would affect his political career.

Tharoor has told Jaitley that he is under tremendous strain and requested the BJP leader “not to make it a political issue."

The minister has two sons from his first marriage.

Order for Sharma’s ministerial office

The Cabinet Secretary is likely to issue on Friday an “internal order” that will allow Anand Sharma to temporarily continue in the office of Union commerce minister.

The order, bearing approval of the President, is needed because Sharma is retiring from Rajya Sabha on Friday. He will now have to get re-elected to the Parliament within six months to continue as minister.

The commerce ministry also needs the order to release Sharma’s salary.

The order will also be applicable to the ministerial staff.