Left hook

Panchayati Raj minister Mani Shankar Aiyar recalls an incident some years ago, in the context of the Left parties supporting the Congress. At his insistence, Aiyar recalls, the organisers of an international seminar invited CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury. While reluctant at first, they were floored by his speech and congratulated Aiyar for it. Someone at the function asked Aiyar when he would become the country’s foreign minister. His reply: “The day Sitaram becomes the prime minister of India!”