The Hindu : National : When Lalu likened houses to platforms

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 04, 2006

National

National

When Lalu likened houses to platforms

K.Balchand

"There is nothing in a palace. They all stand in ruins today" Lalu's only grudge was that the present dispensation had not given him the bungalow close by for housing his security personnel

PATNA : Railway Minister Lalu Prasad was at 10 Circular Road on Friday— the official residenceallotted to the Leader of the Opposition, Rabri Devi.

"I'm very happy here. I've never had any liking for living in a big house. I'm not a son of a landlord or a king or a queen. There is nothing in a palace. They all stand in ruins today," Mr. Prasad said. He had been drawing flak for the delay in giving up 1 Anne Marg, the official residence of the Chief Minister.

"Be it 1 Anne Marg or 10 Circular Road, these are just like platforms where some passengers wait to board trains that come and while others get down as they depart."

Moves in

The Yadav couple moved in on Thursday evening. Mr. Prasad had earlier said he would be shifting on Friday as Basant Panchami was spread over two days. He had a big laugh at reporters even as he served them lunch. "At least you people had something to write about for two days," he chuckled.

Mr. Prasad's only grudge was that the present dispensation had not given him the bungalow close by for housing his security personnel. He said that "Nitish Kumar seems to be in the clutches of the bureaucracy. You can't run Bihar like that. You have to assert yourself."

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