Teacher smart, student smarter

• During a recent verbal spat in the Assembly, senior RJD MLA Abdul Bari Siddiqui said education minister Krishnanandan Verma had come inside the House without even reading the question asked. The minister hit back saying he always considered "Siddiqui Saheb" his guru (teacher) in parliamentary practices. "Perhaps you did not teach me as well as you should have," verma said. An RJD MLA recalled in private conversation a Hindi saying: "Guru gur, chela chini (roughly meaning 'teacher smart, student smarter')". The implication was that Verma is now a minister and his guru is in the Opposition. "But there are many such cases in politics," he said, pointing out how disciples often sideline their political mentors.

Power pakoras

• There is a great demand for snacks such as pakoras and sweets whenever the Assembly is in session. Legislators and their guests partake of these from the canteen run by the labour department, which sells the snacks at a subsidised rate. Canteen employees have a busy day supplying tea and edibles to legislators and offices on demand. However, the shift of power has made RJD legislators learn that they have lost more than power. "When we were in the ruling party, the canteen served us hot pakoras. Now they are servings us cold pakoras ," said an RJD MLA, scolding the canteen manager for sending "cold" tea and snacks. "The hot pakoras appear to have shifted to the BJP legislators," said another RJD MLA.

Abuse of powerful

• JDU MLA Neeraj Singh Bablu raised eyebrows when he landed on the Assembly premises with posters of former Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan and Padmavati director Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the rear window of his vehicle. The posters also carried cuss words against them. "But how can a legislator or anyone be allowed to enter the Assembly premises with abusive posters? The Assembly staff made no effort to remove the posters," said a senior RJD MLA.

Silence is golden

• Former health minister and Lalu Prasad's elder son Tej Pratap seems to have turned "wise" after cases were registered against him for his threatening to skin Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He skipped the Assembly one day and ran to his vehicle when he saw journalists the next day. Lalu was at the receiving end of jibes that if his elder son could publicly threaten the Prime Minister, he could also threaten his father. "He has been asked to avoid giving statements and to not appear before journalists," said an RJD MLA.