ON A day when the Congress leadership handed him a front seat in the Lok Sabha from the UPA quota, RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav joined hands with the Opposition to corner the government over the India-Pakistan joint statement and then stage a walkout.

In perfect coordination with Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu stood up just as the BJP, JD(U), Shiv Sena, Akali and SP members did, forcing Speaker Meira Kumar to adjourn the House.

Later, he joined the Opposition chorus demanding a response from the government on the release of Mumbai terror attack mastermind in Pakistan and the latest remarks of Foreign Minister S M Krishna. With the government offering no reply, Lalu walked out with Mulayam and his partymen.

After the House had been adjourned, Lalu stayed on in the hall and stood with BJP deputy leader Sushma Swaraj, Mulayam, JD(U) president Sharad Yadav and Shiv Sena leader Anant Geete finalising their next strategy. Leaders of all parties would speak on the issue, it was decided, to facilitate a resumption of proceedings. “Kyon Lalubhai?” Swaraj could be overheard saying, with Lalu nodding in agreement.

Tuesday’s proceedings were another instance where the widening gap between Lalu and the Congress was visible. While Lalu isn’t about to switch sides, he has refrained from attacking the BJP so far.

In the House, he took care to preface his criticism with the observation that they were all raising “a national issue”. It is not something personal, he emphasised.