Old habits

Several Bharatiya Janata Party ministers whose work profiles changed after the latest Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh are finding it difficult to let go of their old ministries. For instance, Brijmohan Agrawal, who is considered a "strong" leader, was cut to size during the allocation of ministerial portfolios. In the last term, he oversaw the important public works department (PWD). This time, he has been allotted the low-profile education portfolio. No matter, his interest in PWD endures. Recently at a railway station, he asked a senior official to ensure the immediate implementation of a project converting a disused narrow gauge rail line into a road. Then again, former agriculture minister Chandrashekhar Sahu lost the election but does not miss any state programme on agriculture - not even the release of a souvenir.