Patna, July 05: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad has started relishing non-vegetarian delicacies once again, after turning vegetarian some years ago.
“I started with fish recently and ended up with chicken,” Lalu said on Saturday. “The rest of the birds will follow.”
Lalu said he tasted non-vegetarian dishes after six years. “I could not do anything about it. I felt like eating them. But I did it after apologising to Lord Shiva and other gods and goddesses,” he said.
The RJD chief had earlier gone on record saying he had turned vegetarian after Lord Shiva appeared in his dreams and asked him to give up fish, mutton and other non-vegetarian food.
Lalu added he had given up non-vegetarian delicacies because he used to remain hot-headed. “Mera maatha garam rehta tha (I used to be hot-headed),” he said.
Lalu revealed his latest gastronomic preferences during an interaction with the media in Patna over Mamata Banerjee’s Railway Budget.
Sources close to the politician said he expressed the desire to eat fish recently, surprising his kitchen staff. He reportedly insisted on having it and then went on to try mutton and chicken dishes.
During his heyday in Bihar, Lalu was known for keeping different breeds of fish in a pond at 1, Anne Marg – the chief ministerial bungalow. The grapevine had it that he used to bring fish from different parts of Bihar on his helicopter.
Though Lalu is said to be a great cook, he had entrusted the responsibility of preparing mouth- watering kebabs to his supporter Anwar Ahmad.
Ahmad was affectionately called the “kebab mantri” (minister with the portfolio of kebab) in RJD circles for his culinary skills. He was even made a member of the Bihar Legislative Council in the 1990s, reportedly for his “talent”. Ahmad remained a loyal supporter of Lalu even after the RJD boss turned vegetarian.
Now, with Lalu going back to non-vegetarian dishes with a vengeance, Ahmad can hope to render his invaluable services again.
–Agencies