Amar’s return from Singapore delayed

A notable absentee in the last budget session was Samajwadi Party (SP) general secretary Amar Singh, always a voluble presence in Parliament. In Singapore for a kidney transplant, Singh’s return has been put off till September 21, as he has decided to convalesce there and avoid the global pandemic of swine flu.

“Amar Singhji was operated upon on July 10, and he has to be on bed rest for the next three months. He thought he would return to India to rest, but that is a little difficult as he is vulnerable to infections now,” a party source said. The increasing swine flu panic in India has discouraged him further.  That will not, however, prevent Singh from participating in the SP’s national executive in Agra between August 19 and 21. “Amar Singhji will address the meeting through video-conferencing,” the source said.  “This meeting is crucial as it is the first after the general elections. Besides, the question of support to the UPA will be relooked,” the source said.

Singh has appeared on television channels through video-conferencing on at least two occasions.

Singh is himself in touch with movers and shakers in Delhi over telephone, trying to muster help and support for industrialist Anil Ambani in the latest fight between him and his brother over gas prices in the KG basin.