Winds of change

Meanwhile, those officials at the finance ministry who were close to Mr Mukherjee and had seen their power and clout grow considerably of late are beginning to taste the fruits of the new order. They originally celebrated his nomination as president, but soon came to realise what the announcement could mean to them. One such official wanted to get an event organised by the income-tax department last week at a particular venue. However, he could be seen red-faced after his request was turned down — and for a reason that he obviously didn’t much like. The helpless official just said, angrily: “Do whatever you people like — I can’t do anything now.”