Relayed sympathies

It is well-established that the environment ministry portfolio under the United Progressive Alliance has resembled a game of musical chairs with, first, Jairam Ramesh and now Jayanthi Natarajan being shifted out in controversial circumstances. But M Veerappa Moily, who has been given additional charge of the portfolio, disagrees. Responding to a journalist's query to this effect, he retorted, "This is always a relay race, madam." But as a senior leader he is naturally no less aware of the issues surrounding this ministry. So, when a reporter congratulated him on the new appointment, he responded with a twinkle, "Knowing me, you should be sympathetic!"