Third Eye: Opposition's demand, CEC's poetic response, & more

Recent incidents of hoarding collapse in Mumbai that killed 17 people and Pune accident cover up have led to Maharashtra Opposition slamming the BJP-Sena-NCP state government and seeking the resignation of deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who also doubles up as home minister. Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat said as soon as UBT leaders returned from London, they would hand over the home ministry to them. Shirsat's remark was a jibe at the Uddhav Thackeray family, which is holidaying in London after the elections.

Poetic Response to Criticism
CEC Rajiv Kumar’s pre-counting day presser had its usual ‘sher-shayari’ (urdu poetry) to respond to criticism aimed at the election body. He started with a tongue-in-cheek comment on how the three members of ECI were not the ‘laapta (missing) gentlemen’ as alleged but very much there. On the Opposition’s many attacks, he quipped “manzoor hai ilzaam lagao ham par… shart itanee-…ki saath mein saboot bhee hon” (all accusations are acceptable… the condition is that there should be evidence along with it).

Better ‘Drinking’ Experience!
Whatever the numbers will tell on June 4, Rashtrapati Bhavan’s forecourt is preparing for the swearing-in ceremony, keeping in mind the lessons learnt from 2019 when over 7,000 guests had touched down for the event. One big concern was the lack of cool drinking water, which left many high and dry in the scorching Delhi heat —water bottles kept in the open became too hot to quench anyone’s thirst. Rashtrapati Bhavan is set to ensure a better ‘drinking’ experience this time around.