Open season

The Congress and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government are facing flak over the mismanagement of the economy, and one big reason for that has been the burgeoning expenditure. Well, the austerity drive may have begun in the government, but that has not stopped some UPA ministers from openly splurging their personal wealth. A recent marriage ceremony of the grand-daughter of a senior Cabinet minister from Uttar Pradesh saw a guest list of 25,000 people - and that was only the official count. The ceremony was a virtual "open durbar" with people from all walks of life attending and availing themselves of the feasting and celebrations. This prompted some old-timers from his constituency to comment that the minister must have invited such a huge number of guests with the coming general elections in mind, and the Congress' rather uncomfortable position in Uttar Pradesh.