The differing fates of the 75-plus club

Najma Heptulla, who was made to resign as minister for minority affairs ostensibly because she had turned 75, has taken oath as governor of Manipur. Observers say this is just an interim office till she is named the National Democratic Alliance candidate for vice-president of India. But what of the other 75-plus minister to resign, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel? She is still waiting for something, anything. It is a moot question whether Heptulla resigned so that a case could be made for wresting Patel's command of Gujarat - or because she had turned 75. After all, Kalraj Mishra, also over 75, is beavering away quietly in the micro small and medium enterprises ministry. Strange are the ways of the current ruling dispensation.