When an MLC told Nitish he drinks

There is an MLC who did not take oath with other legislators - to not touch liquor in their lives - during the passing of the first anti-liquor law in March. Chief minister Nitish Kumar is reported to have asked the MLC why he did not take the oath. "I respect the oath," the MLC said in reply. "But I cannot betray my soul. I am ready to face any punishment for it." He also told the chief minister that he did not drink liquor in Bihar but did so when he was outside the state. Nitish is reported to have kept quiet. However, political circles are abuzz with reports of Bihar legislators and ministers still consuming liquor on a regular basis despite the oath. Some prefer to go outside the state to do so. "The oath was for Bihar only, not for outside the state," stressed an MLA, conceding that he consumed liquor when not in the state.

Different tunes

The announcement that a central team will visit Bihar to assess the damage caused by floods and siltation blamed on the barrage at Farakka made the JDU and RJD sing different tunes. RJD chief Lalu Prasad called it mere eyewash but water resources minister Lallan Singh (of the JDU) expressed happiness and hope. The BJP appears delighted over the development. "Lalu ji appears scared at the development," said a BJP leader. "The central team's visit is fallout of chief minister Nitish Kumar's recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi where Nitish had requested for the same. Laluji sees it as an indication of former allies getting close again."

Eggs for sale

A journalist recently received a call from a BJP worker, who asked for JDU leader and MLC Sanjay Singh's address. The journalist expressed ignorance but asked why he wanted to meet Sanjay Singh. "I don't want to meet him. I just want to know his address so that we can throw eggs at his gates," said the BJP leader, angry at Sanjay's recent threat to stop Union minister from entering Bihar over alleged neglect to Bihar in flood relief.