Irony in the soul

The United Progressive Alliance government is under fire from so many sides that its ministers are resorting to making ironical jokes to cover for the lack of action. Thus, at a recent event in Mumbai, Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel was moved to remark that "these days everybody seems to have some or the other ideas on how to run the country, except for the people who run the country". It was an obvious barb at civil society organisations that have been highlighting the government's infirmities. During his speech, Patel also cracked several jokes and then quickly recalled himself, saying, "I won't say anything controversial since a party colleague recently landed himself in a soup after his remarks." He was referring, of course, to Ajit Pawar's tasteless remarks about empty reservoirs in Maharashtra.