Mulayam has pie for dinner

Three days is a long time in politics. For Mulayam Singh Yadav, it's been short and not so sweet. From being in an enviable bargain-power position of having 35 MPs in his pocket, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister went back to Lucknow yesterday afternoon dejected and rejected. Just a day ago he was dreaming to savour his share of the coalition cake. The pehelwan of Etawa had softened so much that he was ready to sup with even Mayawati. He left his pride with the Left. And Left's Harkishen Singh Surjeet tried everything to make Sonia swallow her prejudice. But Sonia refused Mulayam that invitation to dinner. Last night, Mulayam Singh Yadav had pie, a big depressing humble pie. His detractors, headed by Laloo Prasad Yadav, had pasta and the last laugh.