The right and wrong of power penance
Not all her party workers are happy with Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee’s decision of imposing a two-hour voluntary powercut at her Kalighat residence, following Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi’s footsteps. The people, particularly those at the office of her brother Ajit Banerjee, seemed to be quite peeved at the self-imposed penance. Sweating profusely, an employee asked: “Will the electricity thus saved be sent to villages? How will it benefit the rural people?”

Raj Bhavan: the new tourist hotspot
The Raj Bhavan has become a tourist spot of sorts these days during the evenings — between 6 and 7 pm to be precise. This is the time when there is a voluntary powercut at the building, imposed by Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi. People gather in front of the North Gate to see Raj Bhavan in the dark. Soon, an animated discussion begins on whether the Governor’s decision is right or wrong. Police turn them away sometimes, but some die-hards still stay back till the lights remain out.

No closed-door meeting
New Land Reforms Commissioner Satish Tewary has a strange habit, which keeps his staff members on their toes all the time. It seems he doesn’t like “closed-door” meetings. With doors wide open during his meetings, the staff members have to ensure that no journalist is allowed anywhere near his office. Earlier, reporters could be seen crowding the cabin of Tewary’s personal secretary. But they are immediately turned away these days.

Flak for poll commissioner
State Election Commissioner Ashok Gupta drew a lot of flak for avoiding a meeting with a delegation of intellectuals, who had been prevented from entering Nandigram on Saturday. On their way back from the troubled area, the team wanted to meet the Commissioner. Barely five minutes after the news had reached the EC about the likely arrival of the delegates, more forces arrived from the local police station to step up security. Another five minutes and the Commissioner was out of the office. The delegates were in for a surprise when they reached the EC office to find the Commissioner gone. “It is indecent. What is he scared of,” asked one of them.

EC — the fortress
With panchayat elections just a few days away, the State Election Commission has become a well-guarded fortress. Forces from the local police station, including the officers-in charge, are deployed during the office hours to prevent strangers from entering the premises. Insiders say this extra security arrangement was made after the Trinamool had set up a stage near the office for an anti-CPM protest. The same stage was then used by the forum of artistes, cultural activists and intellectuals to voice their protest. “There is a string of people who have been pouring in to submit memoranda to the Election Commissioner. Perhaps, that’s why the stringent security,” said an official.

Counsellor councillor
The office of CPM councillor Rajib Biswaas from Ward No 33, seems to be have turned into a marriage counselling office. Biswas is more than happy to meddle into the “personal” problems of couples whose married life might have taken a hit. On one occasion, he even called on the councillor of another ward to discuss the problems of a couple, and finally assured the “applicant” woman that he was always more than willing to help people in such situations