Third Eye: Focus on internal play, Amid shifting loyalties

Focus on internal play
Political circles in Delhi are carefully following Congress candidates Kanhaiya Kumar in North-East Delhi and Udit Raj in North-West Delhi. Kumar defected from CPI to Congress and Raj from BJP to Congress, and both got party tickets on Rahul Gandhi & his advisors' support, ignoring the claims of some entrenched local Congress leaders of both constituencies. It is closely watched whether the two will rally the core-local Congress leaders and workers-or rely on 'fellow travellers'.

Amid shifting loyalties
Amid changing alliances, goofups are inevitable. Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar made a big gaffe while speaking to journalists about the battle between NCP (Ajit) candidate Sunetra Pawar and Supriya Sule, saying, "In Baramati, Sunetra Pawar's defeat is inevitable," amidst loud gasps from the media. Shelar later corrected himself and said that Sule would lose. Shelar later apologised, but Sule's camp has tweeted the tape. Naturally, the Ajit camp is upset.