All chokeyed up

How do you explain Raja Bhaiya been given the state Food and Civil Supplies portfolio and - oh, the irony of it all - prison department by the 'new' and 'fresh' CM of Uttar Pradesh?

How do you explain Raja Bhaiya been given the state Food and Civil Supplies portfolio and - oh, the irony of it all - prison department by the 'new' and 'fresh' CM of Uttar Pradesh?

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Well, he's been made minister because he's a five-time elected MLA from Kunda and the SP can do with his kind of support base.

You mean a support base of goondas and thugs?

True. There are 48 murder cases, 32 extortion cases and 12 kidnapping cases pending against him. But nothing has been proved in court. So...

But how can the CM have him on board when he's vowed to clean up the goonda raj?

Coalition compulsions!

What on earth does that mean?

It's a term invented in Delhi by someone high up in the central government. Raja Bhaiya is an independent MLA, not an SP legislator. But a key ally.

A key ally of one seat?

That's right. Frankly, it's pure genius on the CM's part. Set a 'thief' to catch a thief...

Don't say: Where has Mayawati gone?

Do say: Wonder why I always get Raja Bhaiya and Shahabuddin mixed up?