The fact that BJP leaders chose to ignore Baramati, the Lok Sabha constituency of NCP leader Sharad Pawar, during the campaign is understandable. But why Sonia Gandhi did not include Baramati in her campaign itinerary is not.

If the state Congress unit failed to find a formidable candidate against Pawar, the AICC establishment was equally passive. It is said that Sonia hates the sight of her arch rival that she chose not to touch Baramati. Though there were frantic calls from the state PCC and the AICC for Rajesh Pilot -- they even managed a small aircraft for him -- he was unwilling. His argument was the aircraft would take 5 hours to reach Baramati. Since his Dausa Lok Sabha seat would go to polls on September 9, he could not spare the day, the argument went.

Stars don't tell

The Prime Minister changed his programme thrice to file nomination papers from Lucknow. First it was scheduled for September 11. Union Home Minister L.K. Advani had also kept the day off to bewith Atal Behari Vajpayee. Then Vajpayee advanced the date by a day. But he changed the programme again, throwing the entire campaign schedule into chaos.

In changing the schedule thrice, the prime minister also ignored the advice of three astrologers including Lakshman Das Madan.

Return of Sushma

Ever since her return from Bellary, Sushma Swaraj is the most sought after BJP leader after Atal Behari Vajpayee. Advani has slipped to the third position in terms of ratings among the party candidates. The tour organisers at the BJP headquarter are struggling with frantic messages requesting Sushma to campaign.

The BJP has hired special aircraft to fly Sushma from one corner of the country to another. So she is back in action and in the limelight.