Hotline with 10, Janpath

When it comes to anything do to with Indira Gandhi, even the Congress’ political opponents know which door to knock. The CPI(M)-led government in West Bengal wants the Centre to revise the Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension Scheme. So, the first thing the panchayat minister of the state, Anisur Rehman, did was to dial 10, Janpath (the residence of Sonia Gandhi) for an appointment. The Left knows that if it can convey the message to Sonia Gandhi, it will have the maximum impact. Rehman is awaiting a meeting with the Congress chief to convince her about the changes required in the scheme named after her mother-in-law. Although Union Panchayat Minister C P Joshi is quite open to suggestions and the minister of state is from West Bengal (Trinamool Congress’ Shishir Adhikary), CPI(M) wants to maintain its hotline with Gandhi.