Delhi Confidential: Satish Poonia’s office asks for ‘gift of smile’; Ajay Rai, Rajendra Pal Gautam remain at loggerheads

Delhi Confidential delves into the latest power struggles within the BJP and Congress parties in the capital. At the BJP headquarters, Satish Poonia, a senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP, has taken a unique approach to his office etiquette. In a bold move, Poonia has posted a notice requesting visitors to refrain from bringing gifts, instead suggesting gifts such as flowers, books, or participation in social deeds.

Poonia, who has been appointed a national general secretary and given charge of Punjab and Haryana, emphasizes that love and blessings are the most valued gifts.

Meanwhile, inside the Uttar Pradesh unit of the Congress, tensions are running high between state president Ajay Rai and AICC state in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam. Despite efforts to reconcile their differences, sources within the party claim that Rai and Gautam remain at odds. Rai enjoys the support of the state unit and is a well-known figure in Uttar Pradesh politics, while Gautam operates under the authority of the Congress high command.

With crucial Assembly elections looming next year, some within the party are concerned that this rift between the two leaders could adversely affect the party's performance in the polls.