The confusion is quickly sorted out and Laloo's chopper lands at the venue finally. Bihar's bestknown politician wades his way through the precariously jam-packed stage. Local RJD worthies identify themselves one by one, providing cues to their leader who repeats each name to thank them for the benefit of the crowd.
"Late ho gayil ba. Helicopter rasta kho gayil rahe (I am late because the helicopter lost its way)," he says of his chopper that reaches Darbhanga instead of Amnaur, the venue of his previous meeting.
In a short 10, 12 minute speech, he devotes maximum time to his tenure as railway minister. Clearly, he believes five years in Rail Bhavan are more credible than his long stint running the state.
"I have deposited a profit of 90,000 crores to the nation's coffers and have provided jobs to 40,000 railway porters. In three years time the railway factory here will be operational and provide jobs, and mind you, this project is not just inside an envelope -- it has been sanctioned and the tender has been passed," he says.
To strike a typical chord with his audience, he speaks of the air-conditioned Garib Rath train. "You can buy a ticket for a journey up to 500 kms for what you pay for buying three kgs of meat. For shorter rides, you have to pay even less."
Image: Where else but in India would you see something like this?
Also see: 'Bihar was never on the road to progress' | India Votes 2009
Advertisement
