PATNA: What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Laloo Prasad? ‘The man with ideas’ that helped him rule for 15 odd years! Surprised? That’s the GenX decode of the Laloo metaphor...
“Laloo is the survivor in the real sense for he’ll be back! Though we might think that he is a joker, our opinions really don’t matter at the grassroots level.
“Laloo treats us like a minority and does whatever he can to grab the kursi,” says ad man Prahlad Kakkar.
“No matter what one might say, he is the ultimate epitome of the survivor in politics. Even as every Indian claimed that Laloo is to be blamed for the sad state of affairs in Bihar today, nobody could create a barrier for him during 15 years of his reign,” adds author Shobha De.
Thanks to his wife Rabri Devi, many feel that the politico qualifies as the ‘perfect puppeteer’.
“He really knows what it takes to make the show run. And when he could not play his own cards, he made sure to get someone — his wife — who would do exactly what he wanted,” states image consultant Anil Thakraney.
Moreover, some feel there is more to come. “He is one man who has never accepted defeat and now one wonders what lies in store,” claims CEO, Tops Security, Rahul Nanda.
What could best sum up the saying that the first impression is the last one but the ‘persona of Laloo’.
There are 52 cards in the pack and Laloo is the fifty third — the joker — mind you with the brains of a manipulator.
“Had it not been for his looks, Laloo would have never got away with 15 years of nuisance. His joker looks are a feather in the crown,” says Nanda.
In case you thought the ‘joker’ image was the only metaphor that best suited the politician, think twice.
As student Praveen Kumar says, “There is just one metaphor that best describes the leader — a shrewd politician. He knows his voters. He knows how to convince them. His image of a joker is only a facade to win votes.”
Adds another student Barnana Sarkar, “Though he claims to be a funny politician, it is the media that has made him an item of spoof. But he knows his job. He has managed his position excellently.
“In fact, he is a great management guru. Despite being portrayed as funny and foolish, he has a strong political hold on Bihar.”
And so feels Puja De, yet another student: “Manipulative... Behind his comic mask is a great Machiavelli.”
This man, the youth feels, needs to be applauded for his creative self.
“The man is innovative. His idea of introducing clay cups in Indian Railways was excellent.
“He does not fear criticism if he is convinced of what he is doing. And it is this ‘I don’t give a damn’ attitude that makes him a class above the rest,” says Amber Saxena, an engineer.
Seconds Shyama Chaudhary, a schoolteacher. “Though the man is cunning, he knows how to play on the mob mentality through his great self-centred plans.”—By special arrangement with The Times of India
PATNA: What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Laloo Prasad? ‘The man with ideas’ that helped him rule for 15 odd years! Surprised? That’s the GenX decode of the Laloo metaphor...
