With friends like this...

The depth of Union Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge's disappointment at losing out on the chief ministership of Karnataka can be gauged from his reaction to Chhattisgarh Labour Minister Chandrasekhar Sahu's well-meaning compliment. Speaking at the Indian Labour Conference, Sahu showered praise on Kharge and said he felt grateful that Kharge remained at the Centre and had not been sent to Karnataka after the recent Congress victory. At this, Kharge recited a verse to the effect that he was better off with enemies rather than friends who wished him to remain at the Centre.