Paswan plays safe

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav may be going all out against the Congress,but the third member of the team,LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan,is being measured in his response. Clearly,Paswan is keeping his options open. People close to him point out that while the Congress has problems in aligning with Lalu,why should Paswan spoil his chances of cutting a deal with the grand old party? The Congress too is not in a mood to target Paswan. Keen on continuing at his 12 Janpath address,the LJP leader has been coughing up market rent each month,and the government has allowed him to stay on. Party insiders say the house is very important for Paswan. However,he does need Lalu to get elected to the Rajya Sabha,and the biennial elections are scheduled to be held next month. Till then,the Dalit leader is keeping his cards close to his chest.