Weak link

Railways Minister and key UPA ally Lalu Prasad Yadav is apparently miffed by the contents of an internal pre-poll report, ostensibly prepared by the Congress with a view to gauge the mood of the voters. It suggests that the Congress8217;s tally will improve in the next general election if it distances itself from parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal. The very mention of this report was enough to infuriate the minister, who immediately summoned his trusted RJD MPs and went into a huddle at his Rail Bhavan office. The minister8217;s bad mood also meant that some Congress leaders, who had approached his office seeking his ministry8217;s support for some railway projects in their constituencies, were politely shown the door.