The Hindu : National : The barbs won't break him

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Friday, Jul 01, 2005

National

National

The barbs won't break him

"I fail to understand why I am always dragged into an unending series of controversies"

IN HIS ELEMENTS: Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad in a joyful mood at a seminar in New Delhi on Thursday. — Photo: Sandeep Saxena

NEW DELHI: Amid reports that he was planning an "image makeover," Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad on Thursday regaled an audience from the business world, narrating how he was always projected as a rustic.

"When I was elected to a cricket association, Jagmohan Dalmiya (then BCCI boss) did not give me recognition. Added to that a newspaper drew a cartoon showing me on one side of a pitch and a buffalo on the other. The buffalo was bowling and I was batting," Mr. Prasad said, amid laughter.

He was addressing a seminar on "Dedicated Railway Freight Corridor," organised here by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India. Mr. Prasad said even the electronic media and TV personalities such as Shekhar Suman used him to the hilt boost their viewership.

Mr. Prasadsaid "Laluji" dolls were an instant hit. Company Affairs Minister Prem Chand Gupta, a close associate of Mr. Prasad, butted in to saythere was a "shortage" of the dolls in the market. Mr Prasad asked him to ensure their supply so that children would not be deprived of them. On his move to introduce kullar and khadi in the Railways, he said it was commented on with derision, though the step was aimed at benefiting the poor.

Mr. Prasad said he took such tirade in its stride and would not suffer "brain-haemorrhage" because of the "malicious campaigns unleashed by his detractors".

"Whenever there is a controversy, I am there," he said. "I fail to understand why I am always dragged into an unending series of controversies."

Even his induction into the Cabinet was not without controversy. "The fact is that I wanted the Home portfolio. Instead, I was given Railways, which I had never asked for. Had I been given the Home portfolio, I would have ensured peace in the country, and with peace comes prosperity."

Mr. Prasad said there had been a systematic attempt to project Bihar as a lawless State. Statistics had been manipulated for showing it in a poor light. He refused to comment on the possibility of an electoral understanding with his arch-rival and Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, and said the RJD'S door was always open . — PTI/UNI

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