After porn, what? A big birthday party for an ex-minister

As one of a trio of ministers who were caught watching porn while at work - in the state legislature - Laxman Savadi could be forgiven for wanting a bit of cover. Mistake. Mr Savadi, currently banned from entering the Karnataka Assembly for his choice of video therein, wants some attention. So on Thursday, his birthday will provide the excuse for a huge show of strength in his constituency in North Karnataka. The implementation of a new irrigation project has happily coincided with Mr Savadi's birthday, justifying the invites to top leaders of his party, the BJP. Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda says he may make it. "Yes I have been invited. I will check my schedule and accordingly decide whether to attend or not," said Mr Gowda, whose famous smile has waned a little since the porn-and-politics scandal Dirty Pictured its way into the headlines last week.