Former JDU leader expects one final flip from Nitish Kumar

Dropping hints?: At the meeting of the Congress parliamentary party post the general election results, the party’s general secretary in charge of organisation, K.C. Venugopal, introduced the new MP-designates. After introducing those from Kerala, Venugopal wrapped up the list saying, “And myself, K.C. Venugopal from Alappuzha.” Several MP-designates in the gathering immediately pointed out that he had left out a very important name. Realising his mistake, Venugopal said, “Of course, Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad,” amid desk-thumping by the MP-designates. Many felt the incident was predictive, as there are indications that Rahul will give up the Wayanad seat and retain Rae Bareli | Illustrations by Jairaj T.G.

Old bonds: There was much warmth and bonhomie when Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra recently met Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was in Delhi for the swearing in of the Narendra Modi government. There were hugs all around, as Hasina’s entourage of Bangladeshi officials looked on. The ties between Hasina and the Gandhi family have deep roots. It was Indira Gandhi who, as prime minister, helped Hasina’s father and Bangladeshi revolutionary Mujibur Rahman liberate Bangladesh from Pakistan. While both Indira and her son Rajiv Gandhi were assassinated, Hasina lost her parents, an uncle, three brothers and two sisters-in-law to assassins in a military coup on August 15, 1975.

Lure of the chair: Janata Dal (Secular) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy may have become minister in the Narendra Modi government, but party leaders in Kerala seem unimpressed. K. Krishnankutty, a JD(S) leader who is part of the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet, chose not to congratulate Kumaraswamy on social media, acting as if nothing had happened. There is good reason for it. The JD(S)’s Kerala unit, which has two MLAs and is part of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front, has been in a spot ever since its national leadership decided to join the NDA. The party in Kerala has declared that it will remain an independent entity, but continues to be under the national leadership. Opposition leaders have used the opportunity to taunt the CPI(M). “In Kerala, Lal Salaam and Dhwajapranamam are echoing together,” said Rahul Mankoottathil, president of the Kerala unit of the Youth Congress.

Hit the ‘SPOT’light: Blackpink’s Jennie made her runway debut, closing Jacquesmus’s La Casa cruise show in Capri, Italy. The K-pop singer and actor wore a backless, sleeveless, black midi dress and accessorised it with the brand’s turquoise-coloured Le Rond Carrébag. While BLINKs couldn’t stop gushing over their idol’s look, Jennie also received praise from designer Simon Porte Jacquesmus: “My dear Jennie…I got so emotional watching you live. You really put your heart into it and you were just perfect,” he wrote on Instagram. Jennie recently collaborated with artist and producer ZICO for the hit digital single ‘SPOT!’ | Getty Images

Skin saver: There is no doubt that celebrities, Bollywood and abroad, are obsessed with launching skincare brands. The latest to join the ‘brand’wagon is Mira Rajput Kapoor. Wife of actor Shahid Kapoor, Mira has partnered with Tira, Reliance Retail’s beauty venture, to launch Akind, “which means your skin is one of a kind”. “The brand has been born out of my skincare philosophy and can be integrated into everyday routine,” she said | Getty Images

Balle balle ft Fallon: Diljit Dosanjh is taking bhangra places. The singer-actor is making his US late-night TV debut with Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show. Dosanjh took to Instagram to announce the news. “Panjabi aagye oyee (Punjabis have arrived).... This week’s guest,” he wrote. “Bhangra hun mainstream pena (Bhangra is now mainstream).…Proper Hollywood.” He had earlier made Ed Sheeran croon in Punjabi. Now, we can’t wait to see Fallon break into a bhangra! | AFP

Lessons from Dr Roger: Ladies and gentlemen, Roger Federer is now a doctor of humane letters. The tennis legend who hung up his racket in 2022, however, had a bone to pick with those who called his game ‘effortless’. In his viral commencement speech, he had three “tennis lessons”, and the first was “effortless is a myth”. “The truth is, I had to work very hard… to make it look easy,” he said. The second is “it’s only a point”, by which he means “you can work harder than you thought possible…and still lose”. And, the third one: “Life is bigger than the court.” Roger that! | AP

Painting LA red: Trust RiRi to break fashion norms. At the launch of Fenty Hair—an addition to her Fenty Beauty line—in Los Angeles, Rihanna did a mix and match that no fashionista in India would dare to do. The Barbadian singer-actor paired a stunning ruby choker from Manish Malhotra High Jewellery with a three-drop rubellite, tourmaline and brilliant cut diamond necklace from Sabyasachi High Jewellery. With that statement jewellery, a red bodycon dress with red leather jacket and her natural curls, she completed her look | AFP