Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Laloo Prasad Yadav, after being sworn-in as a Union Cabinet minister, declared in his inimitable style that the Congress-led coalition government would last its full term and it was time for the Bharatiya Janata Party to pack its bags forever.
"The Congress-led alliance is a concrete formation and will last its five year term. Now, the BJP should go to sleep and pack its luggage forever," he told reporters.
"Atal Bihari Vajpaye-led NDA government was the last sultanate of the RSS and Sangh parivar and it will never return to power," he said.
Asked about the special package for Bihar, Yadav said he had discussed every issue relating to development of the state with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who has assured that an economic package as demanded by RJD would be given.
To a question whether the new government would order probe into scams that took place during the Vajpayee government, the RJD chief said it was for the prime minister to decided on these issues.
Asked whether former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his then deputy Lal Kishenchand Advani congratulated him on his becoming a Cabinet minister, Yadav said, "They did."
However, he became philosophical and said, "This is what protocol demands and this is politics. We are together in joy and we also share the sorrow."