A union minister is under the scanner for allegedly flouting norms during his foreign visits. A senior diplomat has written to the external affairs ministry about a possible conflict of interest involving the minister. The norm has been that a minister, on a state visit abroad, shall desist from accepting hospitalities from private sources. But this senior minister, who went to the US with his family, not only used private aircraft there but also accepted the hospitalities from private parties.

A deputy chief of mission brought this conflict of interest to the notice of the foreign office and to the joint secretary in the PMO who coordinates foreign relations.

Patil breaks protocols

President Pratibha Patil has often been breaking protocols, observers say. When Andhra Pradesh governor ESL Narasimhan paid a courtesy call on her recently, Patil presented a flower bouquet to him, surprising many. She went on to tell the governor that he was doing an excellent job and therefore she wanted to congratulate him. Insiders say that Patil does this for constitutional authorities.

Centre worried about possible Telangana revival

The central government has put Andhra Pradesh on alert apprehending a revival of the Telangana movement once the universities and colleges reopen in July and by-elections to the 18 assembly seats vacated by TRS MLAs are over.

The centre feels Telangana sentiments will be aroused and flared up again, renewing the challenge before it. The issue has been a matter of concern for the political leadership in New Delhi, and was discussed in detail with Andhra Pradesh governor ESL Narasimhan and chief minister K Rosaiah when they visited New Delhi recently.

Incidentally, the Justice Srikrishna panel with its four members has been touring the state and meeting a cross-section of society. After returning to New Delhi, they would begin to write their report and conclusions. Justice Sri Krishna is expected to present the report to the centre by December 31, that is, within the stipulated time frame.

Will Jagan go his own way?

Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, once seen as a strong candidate for the chief ministership after his father YSR's untimely death, intends to split the Andhra unit of the Congress and float a regional party name after the the late chief minister by early 2011, if party sources are to be believed. 

Jagan has now learnt his lessons in politics. Just before the nominations for Rajya Sabha elections were to be announced, he announced plans to carry out a padayatra to commemorate the one-year rule of his father. The yatra is named as Vodarpu, which in Telugu means unite/unity, but 24 Akbar Road perceives it to be anything but that.