Another one bites the dust?

Another one bites the dust?
Another one bites the dust?

When Lisa Haydon and Karan Bhojwani announced their engagement in February last year, it came as no surprise. The leggy lass and her dapper DJ beau had been together so long that the Twitter confirmation of their commitment was a mere formality. Now, however, the grapevine is abuzz with talk that is surprising: apparently the two have called off their nuptials. Insiders tell this diarist that the official story suggests the wedding in question has only been postponed. Yet, adding more grist to the rumour mill is a suggestion that a wellknown third party may be involved. With no announcement or clarification available so far, we can only hope this buzz is more smoke than fire.

Ace stock picker picks AAP

After Meera Sanyal, who quit her helmsmanship of Royal Bank of Scotland to join politics, eventually joining AAP, another bright light from Mumbai’s financial world has walked into the party’s fold. Sanju Verma, earlier Executive Director of HDFC Securities, who is now majority shareholder of Violet Arc Global Managers Pvt Ltd, a financial services company, is going to entrust her fledgling outfit to professional hands and enter the political realm. She has not only joined AAP, but is also going through the party process for Lok Sabha candidature for either the South Mumbai or Mumbai North Central seat. If the latter, then she would be probably pitched against Congress candidate Priya Dutt.

“It is not right to conclude anything of the sort. I am only an aspirant, mind you,” said Verma, who has been living 15 years in south Mumbai now, and also has a deep connection with Bandra where she works with groups active in minority welfare. Verma, who has a tenyear-old daughter and whose husband works for an MNC, said of AAP: “I wanted to be part of this great forum...there may be pitfalls, I agree, but it is changing the entire ecosystem of the country.”

Tailpiece

Priya Dutt’s absence from the Congress party’s rally on Tuesday has given rise to rumour (unfounded, say her supporters) that she may not get a Mumbai ticket to the Lok Sabha. But what’s interesting is the buzz that former cricketer Azharuddin has been offered the post instead. Sources say Azhar has been approached by the CM to woo minority voters in Bandra East and West. Azhar supporters are claiming ‘Bhai’s’ presence at Tuesday’s rally was the reason for the massive turn out there. “6.7 lakh votes are confirmed for Bhai if he stands for elections,” said a supporter. While the cricketer himself was unavailable for comment, what we really want to know is who Sallu bhai will vote for if Azhar Bhai contests.