08 September,2009 08:47 AM IST | | Dilip Cherian
Despite the Ambani brouhaha and an after-YSR furore, Dilli is obsessed with the collapse of the BJP. The bloodletting seems to be over, for now, though it is not yet clear what survives among the debris. It does seem like Nagpur calls the shots.
In Maharashtra, of course, the state election is looming and the BJP in its current tottering state seems unlikely to be fit for stratagems and spoils, which is worrying its state cadre and ally Shiv Sena. But the big question everyone's asking is: who next in Dilli? Some punters are betting on Sushma Swaraj, which if it does happen, would be sexually unique for the entirely male RSS. Others believe that a dark horse will gallop forth, unless Jaitley and Modi insist on their turn. But whoever it is, the new leader will get four years to be ready for general elections in 2014!
This should worry planners in Mumbai. India's Shanghai-in-the-making has now been tagged the most polluted city in the country, with half the number of vehicles in Dilli!u00a0
Top of the heap
If Delhi has moved down in the ranking (thankfully), we can thank CNG for it, which was implemented by the state government amid stiff resistance. Mumbai, however, is still struggling to contain spiralling CO2 emission.
But, while Delhi may no longer be the most polluted city, it is still sadly the "filthiest". The national capital produces 6,800 tonnes of solid waste every day, while Mumbai generates 6,500 tonnes. In the absence of scientific waste management facilities, garbage is dumped in landfill sites, which pose a health hazard.
Apparently, only six cities in the country have sanitary landfills, and these do not include Delhi or Mumbai. Are you smelling the pong?
