Regional journal: CM Saini in Hooda mode

With his trademark disarming smile, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini recently walked into a press conference an hour and forty minutes late, nearly matching former CM Bhupinder Hooda’s record. The indefatigable CM then delivered an almost hour-long monologue targeting the AAP government and Congress. By the end, scribes were too tired to ask questions and a ‘busy’ CM took only a couple of convenient queries before exiting.

ACR ratings trigger uproar

The “downgrading” of annual confidential reports (ACRs) of nearly a dozen top bureaucrats in Punjab has sparked rumblings in the corridors of power. It is learnt that the ACRs were downgraded with remarks stating that while these officers performed well, they did not exhibit exceptional leadership qualities. Aggrieved, the bureaucrats have sought a review of their ACRs. Many are preparing to plead their case before the Centre if their appeal is rejected here.

Helipad buzz in Mohali

An earthmover levelling an open ground in Phase-8 near the GMADA office has become the hot topic of discussion in Mohali’s political circles. While officially dismissed as routine work, the activity — barbed wire fencing, police presence and constant reshaping — has fuelled speculation of a temporary helipad for VVIP movement. A senior official admitted it could be used “if needed”. Incidentally, a helipad inside NIPER complex, quite close to the current site, has been used by Punjab CMs over the years. CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal flew out from there for Ludhiana on Saturday morning.

Gag order on grenade info

In Majha, information on hand grenades and explosives now comes at a premium. District police chiefs have been told to keep blast details to a bare minimum. With delayed instructions, officers often invent answers when pressed by the media, leading to explanations like “a tyre burst” or “a passing truck shattered windows”.

Omar & Amritsari aura

On his first visit to Amritsar, Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah reflected on a popular saying that once you drink Amritsari water, the holy city keeps calling you back. “I have finally experienced it myself. I drink a lot of water here,” he said with a smile. Deeply moved by Amritsar’s spiritual aura and the warmth of its people, Omar said the city had left a lasting imprint on him.

HP buys SUVs, LoP ‘pays price’

The purchase of high-end SUVs for three Himachal Pradesh ministers and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur has evoked sharp criticism in view of the state's grave financial health. On social media, however, it's ex-CM Jai Ram who appears to be "paying" the price. Netizens have been questioning why the LoP, a vocal critic of the Congress regime's "financial mismanagement", didn't decline the new SUV for himself to set an example. The government maintains the SUVs were bought as the old vehicles had crossed the prescribed km limit.

Ex-Akali heads anti-Sukhbir protest

The ruling AAP staged a protest outside SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal's house at Badal village in Muktsar on Saturday, demanding his arrest over an allegedly edited video of Delhi ex-CM Atishi's speech. However, the protest highlighted a glaring irony: only one of Muktsar's four AAP MLAs--Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar, a former Akali himself--showed up, while ministers Gurmeet Singh Khuddian and Dr Baljit Kaur stayed away. Activists raised slogans and listened to speeches from a handful of leaders. After about an hour, the protesters walked away, turning the event largely symbolic.

Contributed by Pradeep Sharma, Ruchika M Khanna, Gaurav Kanthwal, Ravi Dhaliwal, Pawan K Jaiswar, Pratibha Chauhan and Archit Watts