Rahul Gandhi has had another of his escape-velocity-of-Jupiter moments.His reference to the massive gravitational force of the solar system’s largest planet was in the context of “explaining” how much velocity was required by a spacecraft to lift itself from the surface of Jupiter compared to what was required on earth — 60 km/sec against 11 km/sec.

According to him, this was the kind of stupendous “effort” which the Dalits needed to “escape” from their present lowly socio-economic conditions.Following that foray into space science, the Congress president has now offered an economic “explanation” for the lynchings in India during a speech in Germany by arguing that the unemployment caused by demonetisation, which hit small businesses, is behind the mob violence.

Moreover, the traders and entrepreneurs have also experienced grave difficulties because of the “badly implemented” Goods and Services Tax (GST).The link, however, between demonetisation and lynching is tenuous. For one thing, the people in general showed exemplary patience in lining up for hours before banks and ATMs after the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes were withdrawn from circulation.

For another, the cow-related lynchings of Muslims are widely believed to be the outcome of the atmosphere of hate created by the longstanding anti-minority propaganda of the saffron brotherhood, which has gained traction with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) assumption of power.Demonetisation and GST have nothing to do with the attacks on Muslims for consuming beef or transporting cattle.

Now that TV9 itself has confirmed the reports that it is changing hands with original promoter of the channel Srini Raju opting out of it, there have been more and more interesting speculations over the deal.Though the Associated Broadcasting Company Private Limited, the group company of TV9, clarified that CEO Ravi Prakash would continue to hold the management with the support of two major international investment funds and local investors, according to the latest speculations, it is none other than Telangana Rashtra Samithi president and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao who is behind the whole deal.

Initial reports said infrastructure giant Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) promoted by Krishna Reddy and My Home group promoted by real estate tycoon Jupalli Rameshwar Rao would have the lion’s share in the deal with Ravi Prakash as their front man.However, latest reports say the MEIL and My Home had the backing of KCR and his family. Everybody knows the proximity and patronage these industrial groups enjoy with the TRS government.

“It was surprising that Sri Raju had offered the management for just Rs 485 crore, though he had rejected better offers in the past from Zee Group and Times Group. It could be just on-the-record deal and Raju might have got a bigger deal off-the-record from KCR family,” sources said.

Industrialist-turned- Telugu Desam Party MLA from Guntur (West) Modugula Venugopala Reddy is said to be contemplating quitting the party to join the YSR Congress party sooner than later.According to party sources, Modugula is one of the 40 MLAs, whom TDP president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu is likely to deny assembly tickets in the next elections.In most of the surveys conducted by the Naidu government, Modugula is learnt to have got very least marks. So, in all probability, he might not get the ticket again.

That is precisely why Modugula is expected to join the YSR Congress party. He reportedly got in touch with YSRC president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy through his brother-in-law Ayodhya Rami Reddy of Ramky Group of Industries and got the clearance for joining the party.

In fact, Modugula was also one of the promoters of Ramky Group and a director in it and had been closer to late chief minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy. That way, he also became closer to Jagan. But, he preferred to continue in the TDP for his business interests. Very recently, Modugula got a big contract for his infrastructure company in Bengaluru.

During the 2014 bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Modugula raised his voice against the division and had even received body blows from the Congress leaders on the day of passing the bifurcation bill.Yet, he feels he has not enough recognition from the TDP leadership. His name was never considered for the cabinet post. That is why, he has taken a decision to join the YSRC.

Sources say he might resign from the MLA post before joining the YSRCP.

Former minister and Congress leader Kondru Murali is all set to join the ruling TDP. The Congress leader left enough hint after he called on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the latter’s camp office in Amaravati recently.

He is expected to join the TDP on August 31 or September 2. Ahead of his joining, he will be holding a meeting with his scores of supporters and leaders of his constituency in Rajam town in Srikakulam district on Sunday.

Kondru Murali is expected to held a press meet after consulting his supporters and scores of party workers tomorrow and list out his future course of action. He is likely to disclose before the media about the injustice that had he meted out after serving the Congress for several years.

It is learnt that the Congress leader has been sulking after the Congress high command kept luring him with chief post in the region. As he received no assurance from the senior leaders, he has decided to switch loyalties to the ruling TDP.