When RJD chief Lalu Prasad remarked at a UPA-Left dinner that the Congress was not consulting him on issues, it may have sounded incredulous, for he has been Sonia Gandhi's trusted ally in decision-making.
But the import of the charge lay in the context it was said -- a day when the Delhi L-G's "innocuous" comment had ruffled the feathers of "North Indians". Lalu lost little time in slamming the controversial soundbite, saying it was "meant to increase his (L-G's) visibility on air and was unbecoming of the high office he holds".
But many felt that Tejinder Khanna's gaffe also gave Lalu Prasad the opening to repeat his complaint yet again that the appointment of governors and L-Gs is made unilaterally by Congress in UPA regime. Khanna is considered close to Congress.
In the same vein, Lalu was seen as venting the long-pending demand of allies for a share in the appointment of ambassadors, who are either career diplomats or those considered close to the lead party of the UPA. The blunders by Congress nominees, like Indian envoy to US Ronen Sen's "headless chicken" remark, deepens the angst of the partners also for it is they who are called for fire-fighting. UPA sources confirmed that the railway minister is miffed at Congress not "sharing power" outside the ambit of ministries and alliance politics of Bihar.
The RJD leader feels Congress has been packing plum posts with party loyalists. With the government's term coming to an end, the anxiety has increased. Incidentally, Khanna has got Lalu's goat twice in a short span, having earlier spoken about making identity cards compulsory for immigrants in Delhi.
