Mango (pic for representation)                  Lalu sipping tea from a kulhar (earthen cup)

Lalu Prasad Yadav is undoubtedly the most popular politician in India. With a highly successful run as Railways Minister, he has managed to woo even his most ardent critics, but it is his rustic charm that cuts across all sections of the society.

Many Scholars raised an eye brow when Lalu was invited by Harvard and Wharton Business Schools to give management lessons to their students, but none can disagree on the sheer power that ‘Lalu’-the brand commands.

Two years ago, Lalu rakhis proved to be a sellout. Last year, Lalu crackers were a big hit during Diwali, and Holi revellers this year lapped up Lalu Pichkari (water guns) and Lalu Gulal (colours). There’s also Lalu Cola, Lalu Sattu, Lalu Khaini and Lalu Chocolates. Lalu Chaleesa and Lalu Pachaasa were once introduced in the curriculum of 5^th graders in Bihar! There's also a dating site named after the most popular couple in politics. Its called www.laloorabri.com

Capitalising on this phenomenon, traders in Patna have renamed the sweet Digha variety mango after the former chief minister and it is a marketing strategy that has paid off ‘deliciously’. Lalu mangoes are actually of Malda variety coming from Digha, Motihari and Muzaffarpur and the best pieces among the lot are pasted with Lalu's sticker(!) to attract customers. The normal Malda is selling for Rs.30 a kg, whereas ‘Lalu’ aam fetches Rs.35!

June 11 was Lalu’s 61^st birthday. Since the Railways Minister is also the chief of his political party, RJD, the national spokesman of the party, Shyam Razak gifted him 61 baskets of 'Lalu mangoes', with a picture of Mr. Yadav, pasted on each one of them!

Incidentally, my favourite breed of mango is the 'digha malda' variety. Like a lot of others from Bihar, 'Alphonso' doesn't do it for me. It's good, but 'malda' is what I've eaten throughout my childhood, hence it'll always remain my preferred choice. Whats funny is that the next time I visit a fruit seller in my home town, I'll probably be saying, "Bhaisaab, 2 kilo Lalu deejiyega..."

 Lalu Doll                                                    Lalu Chocolate

Lalu Fodder!