My failure is very much part and parcel of politics: Lalu Yadav

They say Lalu is infectious. Yes, he is. Ask former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and he would tell you how the former railway minister taught him to enjoy a mango in true Indian style.

Nothing can keep Lalu Prasad down. Even the electoral reversals in Bihar, where his party was reduced to just three seats and the resultant mockery by his detractors, could not pin him down.

Lying low for several weeks, Lalu returned to form yesterday in his inimitable style. In a clear signal to his detractors to keep off, Lalu called the coterie culture in the Congress "tabadtod tel malish (TTM)".

Reiterating his support to Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he warned other Congress leaders of not getting complacent in the face of their stupendous win in the recently concluded General Elections.
"My failure is momentary. It is very much a part and parcel of politics. But others should not be proud. Bade bade ped girte dekhe hain maine (I have seen many a strong trees being uprooted)," the former Bihar chief minister said, while coming out of the Parliament House.

When he was asked about the strained ties with the Congress, Lalu affirmed that though his party could not get the desired number of seats, it still is an equal partner in the UPA. "Gathbandhan nahi to lathbandhan to hai (Even if the political alliance has grown weak, we're still a force to reckon with)," Lalu said.

Talking about his opposition to the Women's Reservation Bill, Lalu called for 'compartmentalisation' for the backwards and tribals.

"Rahul Gandhi projected Kalawati as the symbol of the backwards in India. We must ensure that such women should reach Parliament. How many Muslim women have become MPs after Independence? We have to address such issues," he said.

The inimitable politician had his own remedy for the ill. He said the total number of seats in Parliament should be increased to accommodate reservation for women.

When asked where will such a huge number of people sit, Lalu said: "The existing Lok Sabha should be shifted to the Central Hall of Parliament and Rajya Sabha should shift to the existing Lok Sabha."

What will happen to the Rajya Sabha hall? "Turn it into the central canteen. Idle journalists should come, eat and just go back," prompt came the reply.