Lalu, Paswan to skip cabinet meeting

RJD President Lalu Prasad and LJP chief Ramvilas Paswan, who have voiced resentment over Congress overtures to JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, have decided to keep away from the meeting of the Union Cabinet today. 

"Yes, the Railway minister is not going to Delhi to attend the cabinet meeting," his private secretary Bhola Yadav told PTI. He, however, sought to play it down saying that the Railway minister had not attended several cabinet meetings while remaining in Delhi in the past.   

"Unless there is any agenda of his department, it is not necessary for him to go. The media is just playing up the issue," Yadav said. 

Prasad's decision not to attend the cabinet meeting comes within days of AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi appearing to reach out to key BJP ally JD(U). 

"I am not saying only we have leaders, there are leaders who are in the opposition. Nitish (Bihar Chief Minister) for example....I think the intention (to work) is there," Rahul had said on Tuesday when asked whether non-Congress governments were not doing well in the matter of development.   

Prasad's cabinet colleague, Fertilisers minister Paswan is currently in West Bengal for electioneering and is set to return to Delhi tomorrow.