Lalu Yadav, the man who created history by turning around the loss-making Railways, is globally famous for the right and wrong reasons, as well. Rustic but street-smart, lampooned but exceedingly shrewd, funny but focussed, Lalu is a seasoned politician that no one can ignore.

All set to present his fifth Railway Budget on February 26, Lalu promises yet another people-friendly Rail Budget for 2008-09. He says it would be a 'basket of comforts' for the general public.

What makes him special? What makes him different? What makes him a mass leader and a management guru at the same time?

Lalu steers the Railways

Lalu Yadav was chosen the Railway Minister in the United Progressive Alliance's coalition government, although at the time he didn't really seem too happy with the portfolio.

When he took over, the Indian Railways was not really feeling in the pink of health. But the irrepressible Lalu used his unique strategies, worked his way out and succeeded in making a surplus of nearly Rs 20,000 crore (Rs 200 billion). He set his targets on increasing traffic and thus increased revenue. He believes that the traffic volume will rise in a booming economy.

"If you do not milk the cow fully, it falls sick," he said about running the Railways profitably.

He banned plastic cups serving tea at railway stations and replaced them by kulhads (earthen cups) which, he said, would help create more rural jobs.

Call it gimmick or genuine concern, Lalu travelled by train to experience the problems faced by the people. He also hit the headlines when he went to inspect the Patna railway station at midnight.

Image: Lalu Prasad offers prayers to the Goddess Durga on the eve the Dussehra festival in Patna.

Photograph: STR/AFP/Getty Images