The rains on Thursday brought out the child in Lalu Prasad, who went around getting wet in the rain, sipping a few drops or just admiring the downpour from under a shade at 10 Circular Road.
It took him down memory lane to his childhood days when he would move around town on the back of a buffalo after it rained. "I used to sit bare-bodied in just a half-pant on a buffalo and get drenched," he said. "Do you know that rainwater is good for health," he asked. "When god is happy, it rains. You must enjoy it. I enjoy it whenever it rains. It brings back childhood days"
Nothing could hold him back, anymore. Out he tiptoed, in a green T-shirt and his trademark lungi. Soon, he was roaming from one side to the other, feeling the rainwater. He removed his slipper and began walking barefoot. So much water had accumulated, his slippers began floating. He played with his slipper for a while.
He also sipped rainwater. Asked about its ill effects, he shot back: "No it does not harm. In fact, it makes you feel fresh and energetic."
Anything else to go with the rain? "I love to have litti and chokha. The real taste comes from round litti. You can also try frypan litti."
Having surveyed the water all around - almost a feet of water had accumulated - Lalu instructed his staff to clear the drain.
Work done, he returned to his shade, folded his legs in his typical style and enjoyed paan (betel leaf).
It was time for some practical assessment of the rain. Rains, Lalu said are required to charge groundwater, especially in urban areas where most places are covered with concrete.
Just before it began pouring, Lalu was telling reporters that he had demanded 80 per cent reservation for residents in education and government jobs. "I will speak to chief minister Nitish Kumar on this matter. He can instruct the general administration department to make such a rule, already being implemented in states like Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh." In fact, RJD MLA Bhola Yadav, a close aide of Lalu, had sent a letter in this regard to Nitish on July 10.
Lalu also said that the RSS and BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, should not wear shoes and sandals made from leather, as these are manufactured from cow skin.
"These BJP leaders talk about saving the cow and their men beat up Dalits," Lalu said. "I will ask them not to wear shoes and sandals made from leather because it is mostly the skin of cow and calf. I will urge people to keep a close eye on the footwear of BJP leaders, including the Prime Minister, MPs, MLAs and MLCs. People should ask them to remove footwear made from leather."
He proudly claimed that he never wore footwear made from leather, preferring footwear made of cloth. To prove his point, he showed his footwear made from cloth.
On Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's statement that the Prime Minister might get him killed, Lalu said his statement should be not taken lightly.
"Normally I do not take notice of Kejriwal's statement, but this very serious," he said. "I have deep suspicions about RSS people. They are experts in executing such things."
