For years, Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh and Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira have been seen as bitter rivals in the Congress. But politics threw up an unexpected twist this week. After AAP captured the Kapurthala Municipal Corporation despite the Congress enjoying a clear majority, Khaira was quick to back Rana on X, alleging political engineering. The unexpected show of solidarity surprised many, with Rana himself acknowledging Khaira’s support during a Chandigarh press conference.Hat-trick for scientistsThis week saw a hat-trick of sorts by scientists in the Department of Science and Technology with the appointment of IIT Bombay alumnus Umesh V Waghmare as Secretary. It is the third successive appointment of a scientist to the post. Named by the PM Narendra Modi-led Cabinet panel, Waghmare was serving as President of the Theoretical Sciences Unit at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research. He succeeds former IIT-Kanpur Director Abhay Karandikar, who was preceded by Rajesh Gokhale of IISER Pune.Kyrgyz epic in HindiAn Indian delegation last week visited Kyrgyzstan to participate in the opening ceremony of the International Centre for Civilizational Studies “Manas and Mahabharata.” The highlight of the event was the presentation of the first-ever Hindi translation of the Kyrgyz epic ‘Manas’, one of the longest epic poems with half a million lines. RSS communications chief Jattvibeil Ambekar was the chief guest on the occasion.Surjewala reveals ‘ambition’Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala recently took a dig at Bhupinder Singh Hooda and also did not spare the new state in-charge, Sanjay Dutt, in the party’s open house. He advised Dutt not to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors and fail. When Hooda told Surjewala to stand by him and see the ‘dhamaka’, he replied that he had been standing by him for 20 years, now it was his turn, thus making his ambition clear.Kangana under fireMandi MP Kangana Ranaut came under sharp criticism on social media after returning to Himachal last week following a prolonged absence from her constituency and key BJP meetings. Many called her a “seasonal leader”, while others regretted voting for her. They also targeted her for using derogatory language against her political opponents. Whatever people might say, Kangana is no stranger to controversy.Celebrating defeatThe AAP halqa in-charge of the Dinanagar Assembly seat, Samsher Singh, seems to be an optimist, seeing victory even in defeat. Although AAP won six seats in the recent civic polls against the Congress’ eight, he celebrated by beating a drum to project his party’s “victory”. The Congress, having secured a majority, gained control of the municipal committee, much to the discomfort of the drummer.Coveted posts lose sheenFrequent transfers in the Punjab Housing Department have become a talking point in official circles. In the past year alone, nine officers have served as Chief Administrator of GMADA or Director, Town and Country Planning. Once considered among the most coveted, these posts now appear to have lost their appeal. With the government pushing key decisions on urban development, including lower reserve prices for auctions and consultant appointments, many officers seem reluctant to be part of the decision-making process.Baghel settles inPunjab Congress leaders are pleased with AICC in-charge Bhupesh Baghel’s longest stay in Chandigarh since taking charge in February 2025. Spending six days meeting party workers, the former Chhattisgarh CM is now said to recognise many Punjab leaders without prompting. Insiders recall that during a marathon meeting a few months ago, Baghel had failed to identify Jalandhar MLA Avtar Junior Henry.Politics of trollsFormer acting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh says organised social media campaigns against the Jathedars are nothing new. According to him, such trolling was earlier carried out by the Shiromani Akali Dal’s IT cell, while AAP’s IT cell has now taken over that role. His remarks come amid continuing political sparring over the authority and functioning of Sikh religious institutions.Contributed by Deepkamal Kaur, Aditi Tandon, Bhartesh Thakur, Pratibha Chauhan, Ravi Dhaliwal, Ruchika M Khanna, Rajmeet Singh and GS Paul