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SPOKESPERSONS OF THE YEAR
Dr Sudhanshu Trivedi from the BJP and Pawan Khera from the Congress, although both adopt very different styles. Rajya Sabha MP and BJP national spokesman, Sudhanshu Trivedi is the poetic assassin, who delivers his killer lines with a gentle smile and some well-placed shayari. But he comes prepared couching his arguments with hard facts, all delivered in an accessible anecdotal style. No wonder his interviews break TRP barriers.
On the other hand, the not yet Rajya Sabha MP and Chairman, Media & Publicity, Congress, Pawan Khera smiles less; he is more lethal in his delivery. Pawan Khera’s style is wry humour delivered with a deadpan face to deliver the latest political parable of the day. The facts are on his fingertips, as he pushes back the rim of his glasses to deliver the final cut. But Khera’s best lines come in the Q&A part of the press conference, where his instinctive off the cuff repartees work even better than the studied openings.
THE ONE WOMAN SHOW
If there is one spokesperson BJP leaders think twice about pitting themselves against during TV debates, it’s the Congress social media and digital platforms in-charge, Supriya Shrinate’s indefatigable lung power. Especially when the cause is right—in her books that means defending the Gandhis or taking on a women’s rights issue. She will have the last word no matter what. Or whom!
SURPRISE OF THE YEAR
The choice of the new BJP chief. The selection was long overdue but true to his style Prime Minister Narendra Modi pulled out a name that no one had shortlisted. He let the media and Delhi’s drawing rooms debate various names, speculate on the power play between the RSS and PMO before announcing his candidate, Bihar’s Roads Construction Minister and party MLA, Nitin Nabin.
HANDSHAKE OF THE YEAR
Did Rahul Gandhi shake hands with industrialist Gautam Adani when the two came face to face at NCP leader Sharad Pawar’s 85th birthday bash in December? While no one will admit to it, sources have confirmed that there was a handshake when the two found themselves in the same room, but Supriya Sule ensured that no one captured that moment on their phone cameras. Was it just a social gesture or should one read more into it? Watch this space.
NON EVENT OF THE YEAR
The cabinet reshuffle that did not happen. Ever since September, BJP leaders have been refusing interviews to the media, preferring to stay out of the limelight for fear it may jeopardise a ministerial elevation. There was speculation that some high-profile names may be dropped and others elevated; it all came to naught and now the rumours have a new date—post Makar Sankranti. Well, what better way to begin the new year than with a speculative game of musical chairs?
THE MOST POPULAR GIRL IN CLASS
Sharad Pawar’s daughter and NCP leader Supriya Sule, as her parties always get an enviable guest list cutting across party lines. In fact, if the I.N.D.I.A. bloc is looking for a guest coordinator, Sule should get the job.
YEAR OF THE WEDDING DANCE
There were two wedding dances that went viral on social media this year, politically speaking. One was when the TMC firebrand Mahua Moitra tied the knot with former BJD MP, Pinaki Misra. The wedding dance video confirmed a romance that began on the floor of the House, somewhere in between the nuances of a well-crafted political debate.
The other was a reel of MPs coming across party lines, getting together to dance at BJP MP and industrialist Navin Jindal’s daughter’s wedding. Since it involves both the vocal opposition MPs, Mahua and Kangana Ranaut, this sparked censure on social media as to whether MPs that share such a vitriolic equation in Parliament should socialise together.
QUICK TAKEAWAYS OF THE YEAR
- For the Government: That the GST that was initially rolled out was unwieldy and complicated.
- For Rahul Gandhi: That attending a tea party in Parliament gets you more political capital than meeting a farmer vice chancellor in Germany.
- For Akhilesh Yadav: His speeches seem to have caught Amit Shah’s attention. The Home Minister has been replying to each and every point raised by the Samajwadi Party leader in Parliament.
- For the Aviation Ministry: That the airline business cannot be a duopoly.
- For Kangana Ranaut: That panchayat level dirty drains and sewage issues are an MP’s job.
- For Shashi Tharoor: Flirting is much more fun than a commitment that gags you.
- For the BJP: Do not underestimate an ally even if he is old and forgetful. The people remember him.
- For the I.N.D.I.A. bloc: Narendra Modi remains the BJP’s best calling card, with or without Donald Trump.
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