The disqualification of Nawaz Sharif as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and not the floor test in the Bihar Assembly, ruled conversation in the Central Hall of Parliament today.  


BJP MPs, who were in large attendance, were of course rejoicing at the imminent sacking of Nawaz Sharif by the Pakistan Supreme Court, but the jubilation was tempered with concern over the Pakistan Army getting a upper hand.  


Of course, Nitish winning the vote of confidence in the Bihar Assembly was also discussed and many BJP and JD-U MPs wanted to know the view of JD-U leader Sharad Yadav, who has maintained a studied silence over Nitish Kumar's political realignments. Yadav was being comforted by BJP's Bihar MPs and it is now almost certain that he will be inducted as Union Minister in the ensuing Cabinet expansion.  


Many Congress MPs were justifiably upset with the news that as many as six MLAs had resigned from the party in Gujarat, which would mean Ahmed Patel, the party's contender for a Rajya Sabha seat from the state may be defeated.  


Being Friday, many MPs were heading back to their home states for the weekend ahead. On Fridays, the Parliament also deliberates on private members' bills and if the MP's name figures on the agenda in the House, they have to be present, otherwise many will fly out of Delhi.  


Congress MPs were also heard commenting on Rahul Gandhi's statement that he knew about Nitish Kumar's ploy of deserting the Mahagadbandhan. In private, Congerss MPs said they were worried that in 2019 Rahul Gandhi will not be able to put a fight against the BJP and Narendra Modi. Friends of former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan were heard saying that the Congress does not have a tall leader who can take on Narendra Modi and expressed little confidence in Rahul Gandhi's leadership.  


Biju Janata Dal MP Bhartruhari Mahtab is a hero in Central Hall for exhuming the ghost of Bofors. Mahatab created a furore in the Public Accounts Committee for saying certain aspects in the Bofors files were missing which was confirmed later.  


CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechuri was denied a third term in the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal. Kerala CPM MPs who are in the good books of Karat were joyful. They were murmuring that it was the CPM under the leadership of Karat that withdrew support to the UPA, but Yechuri despite being a hardcore comrade was cosying up to the Congress to get a third term in the Rajya Sabha.  


Jairam Ramesh walked upto EM Sudarsana Natchiappan, a former MP and congratulated him in advance. It is believed that Rahul Gandhi has cleared the appointment of Natchiappan as President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee in place of S Thirunavukkarasar. On hearing this, many Congress MPs from Kerala went to greet Natchiappan since he is also the AICC observer for Kerala and many MPs want to remain in his good books. Jairam Ramesh told a Kerala MP that Natchiappan will be made TNCC Chief by September.

-- R Rajagopalan