The ongoing Pawar crisis

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar's utterances over the past few weeks have kept Dilli's powerati hooked. Initially, it was his comments on runaway inflation that caused unease within the government, with some even scrambling to distance themselves from the NCP boss when he, in turn, blamed the PMO.

Pawar was hoping to deflect the heat from the relentless attack by the Opposition on his inability to bring down prices. But his political isolation was even more marked when the government decided to defer the decision to introduce Bt brinjal, which Pawar (and now fellow Maharashtrian Prithviraj Chavan in the PMO) is promoting vigorously.

Despite murmurs that he may be divested of some bits of his portfolio, Pawar has sent warning signals to Dilli by cozying up to the parochial Shiv Sena, or so it is believed. But, for some observers, the Maratha leader's impetuous reactions simply suggest he is keener on assuming chairmanship of the International Cricket Council next year than on his ministerial responsibilities. You decide.

The art of the possible
Dilli's limited parking space has been a perennial worry for the capital's planners. And the problem has worsened with all the construction work for the Commonwealth Games, and the fact that there is no let up in the number of vehicles being added daily to the already spilling roads. Meanwhile, the municipal authorities are now desperately seeking to use every available space, even an unused airport, to tide over for the projected parking problems during the Games.

Safdarjung Airport, Dilli's first airport, which has not been used for several decades, is now being converted into a massive parking lot. It is clear that the capital is running out of options fast. Most experts believe that a permanent solution to Dilli's parking woes is overdue, but the government is still seeking short-term solutions.