Trading Blows

Mulayam Singh Yadav doesn’t usually tick off his favourite minister Azam Khan, at least not in public. But on March 4, Mulayam picked on Khan in the presence of son Akhilesh and other Samajwadi Party leaders at the chief minister’s official residence, 5 Kalidas Marg. Urging the senior leader to take up more responsibilities, Mulayam told Khan: “Ab aap bhi sakriya ho jaiye (Now, you must become active).” To which, Khan responded: “Netaji, maine baaki zindagi to aapke naam kar di hai. Ab to kabar mein hee jana baaki hai (I have dedicated my whole life to you. And I will continue to do so till I die).” Mulayam, we hear, wasn’t amused.