Delhi Confidential: Shrikant Shinde’s second master’s, iPhone Duo’s political meme war

Shiv Sena (Shinde) MP Shrikant Shinde has enrolled in an 18-month executive MBA programme at LSE, saying he wants to broaden his understanding of economics and policy.

Welcome to Delhi Confidential, your inside track to the power corridors of the capital. Today: From Shrikant Shinde returning to the classroom to the BJP, Congress and AAP turning Apple’s latest launch into a social media battle.

1. 01

   Master’s footsteps

   As he prepares to handle more responsibilities in the party and politics, Shiv Sena (Shinde) Lok Sabha MP Shrikant Shinde has taken up another assignment — a master’s degree in business administration at the London School of Economics.
   Shinde, who already holds an MS in orthopaedics, has enrolled for his second master’s at the TRIUM Global Executive MBA programme offered jointly by LSE, NYU Stern and HEC Paris.
   The 39-year-old MP has a “political” explanation for his latest pursuit — he wants to follow BR Ambedkar’s footsteps and expand his academic qualifications to economics and policy. Shinde, who has already learnt the skill to heal, says he wants to learn how to deal with complex economic issues and policies.
   To complete his 18-month MBA programme, he needs to visit the London campus once every six months. The rest of the time, Shinde can pursue his studies while continuing his political activities in Maharashtra and in Parliament.

2. 02

   Narrative war

   The launch of the foldable iPhone Duo on September 9 was watched not only by potential buyers but also by political social media teams across party lines.
   It may still be over a month away from being available in stores, but the latest Apple device quickly entered the national social media-based narrative war.
   The BJP, the Congress and the AAP used the phone’s launch video to create memes and mock each other.