New Delhi:
The occasion was a formal farewell at Parliament for President Pratibha Patil. But for most of us, who were covering the proceedings from the press galleries, all eyes were on Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, currently estranged from the ruling coalition. What signal would he send? What would be his body language when he encountered the Congress leadership?
Mr Pawar was in the front row, two seats away from Congress President Sonia Gandhi, and near Defence Minister AK Antony and Home Minister P Chidambaram. The seating was carefully scrutinised by reporters - Mr Pawar's party has dismissed reports that he is upset with the Congress because he has not been seated next to the Prime Minister at recent cabinet meetings.
It was clear that Mr Pawar was in no mood to engage in any public relations with the Congress. He left as soon as the official function concluded, without waiting for the high tea.
Praful Patel, often viewed as the trouble-shooter for Mr Pawar's party, was his usual amicable self.
Soon after the customary speeches were over at the grand Central Hall of Parliament, MPs headed straight to the lawns for a cup of tea. Mr Patel compensated for Mr Pawar's exit, by mingling with the Congress. The moment Mr Patel went to Mrs Gandhi to greet her, she said, "
Kuch karo, Praful (do something, Praful)." Before he could respond, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj, who was seated on the high-table with the Prime Minister and Mrs Gandhi chipped in with "...Praful,
kuch mat karo (don't do anything!)." Left leader, Sitaram Yechury, however, had the best line: "Praful,
khush karo! (make everyone happy).