Speculation is mounting over who will replace Lok Sabha MP Anil Baluni as the new chief of the BJP’s media department. The change is due and is expected to materialise as part of BJP president Nitin Nabin’s organisational overhaul. The names of old-timer KK Sharma, journalist-turned-politician Pratyush Kanth and BJP media co-in-charge Sanjay Mayukh are doing the rounds. However, the BJP could spring a surprise, considering Nabin himself was a dark horse.When Indira quoted Atharva VedaOn June 14, environmentalists marked the 54th anniversary of late PM Indira Gandhi’s address at the first UN Conference on the Human Environment, held in Stockholm on June 5, 1972 — a date now observed as World Environment Day. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh recalled that Indira concluded her speech by citing Verse 35 of the Prithvi Sukta from the Atharva Veda, which translates as: “What of thee I dig out, let that quickly grow ever, / Let me not hit thy vitals or thy heart.” The speech also included the full text of Ashoka’s Major Pillar Edict, regarded as the world’s first environmental proclamation by a ruler.Nadda’s HP offensive sparks buzzUnion Health Minister JP Nadda’s whirlwind Himachal tour and sharp attacks against the Congress regime have sparked speculation about his return to state politics. Having relinquished office as BJP president, it’s no secret that Nadda has nursed the dream of becoming the state Chief Minister. His hard-hitting criticism of CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu came in sharp contrast to his earlier mild-mannered style. Many believe he has virtually started shaping the narrative for the 2027 Assembly poll.Unusual checks for AAP roadshowAn unusual scene played out minutes before AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann held a roadshow on Friday to thank Bathinda residents for re-electing AAP leader Padamjeet Mehta as the Mayor. Security personnel were seen asking sanitation workers to open manholes and inspecting electricity meter boxes in a busy market, surprising onlookers who said they had rarely witnessed such measures. The sight was unusual but underscored the level of security deployed ahead of high-profile events.‘Veteran nod’ sparks Cong rowA fresh controversy is brewing within the Punjab Congress over the appointment of party spokespersons. Although candidates were reportedly shortlisted by the party high command after an extensive interview process, several aspirants claim their appointment letters are being withheld by the state unit. They say they have been asked to first secure the approval of veteran leaders from their respective areas. The move has triggered resentment among some of the younger selected candidates, who argue that such “feudal practices” undermine merit and internal democracy at a time when the party is striving to rebuild and modernise its organisational structure.‘Telling a lie’… no, BabaDamdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa ‘Dhuma’ landed in a tight spot after Maharashtra BJP minister Girish Mahajan said at a Bluestar anniversary event in Amritsar that he was attending because “Baba ji had insisted”. Soon after, a video surfaced of Baba ji saying: “Jo sach hai… I had never called the Maharashtra CM or anyone.” He later clarified that members of the Sikh sangat in Maharashtra had informed him Mahajan would attend on behalf of the Chief Minister. Adding to the intrigue, Mahajan described Operation Bluestar as a “black day” and the dead as “martyrs” — language that sits rather uneasily with the BJP’s long-practised vocabulary on the subject.Contributed by Aditi Tandon, Pratibha Chauhan, Archit Watts, Lalit Mohan and GS Paul