Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav seems to be the new darling of Pune politicians.
On Tuesday, the general body of Pune Municipal Corporation passed a resolution to felicitate Lalu for bringing the ailing Railway Ministry out of financial crisis.
The proposal was moved by Milind Ekbote, an independent corporate said to be close to the Sangh Parivar. According to him, the minister made the Railway Ministry into a profit-making unit.
Sunil Parkhi, Assistant Municipal Secretary, told Hindustan Times that the original proposal was supported by Shyam Deshpande and Satish Desai. While Deshpande belongs to the Shiv Sena, Desai is a Congress member.
Sena and Congress members also moved a supplementary motion that Lalu should be felicitated with a special scroll of honour instead of a formal congratulation. The proposal was agreed to unanimously. Parkhi said that an invitation would be sent to the minister soon.
Satyajit.Joshi@hindustantimes.com