Fuming Pranab

Congress leaders, senior bureaucrats and people from his constituency rushed to Pranab Mukherjee’s Talkatora Road residence on Friday night to congratulate him on “becoming the finance minister.” Even before they could meet Mukherjee, Heeralal, Mukherjee’s aide for over a decade, warned many: “Just say hello, don’t try to congratulate him. He will get irritated.” The aide, who has worked closely with Mukherjee, knows the moods of his boss. And he was right. As soon as the third person went inside his office room with flowers, Mukherjee fumed, “The prime minister is in hospital and you all are bringing flowers?” After this, most visitors made a quick exit after showing their face to the minister.