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New Delhi: While not all Indian
politicians will have their hunger for votes satiated on May 13, they
certainly have no intention to fight the electoral battle on an empty
stomach.
Parliament or kitchen, our democratically elected representatives
are sure to cook up something interesting.
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, for instance, thrives on
non-vegetarian goodies. According to his niece Karuna Shukla, the BJP
leader loves digging into all kinds of fish and fowl.
A visible paunch notwithstanding. 'Macchhi Jhol' or fish curry is a
special favourite and must invariably figure in at least one of
Vajpayee's daily meals.
Although the 77-year-old doyen of Indian politics is forbidden red
meat due to health reasons, his taste for succulent kebabs is quite
undiminished.
The Prime Minister's taste in food is as eclectic as the coalition
he heads. Old Lucknow friends recall with great relish how a young Atal
cycled several kilometers at a stretch for some cool Thandai (a drink
made of dehydrated rose petals and dry fruits). Not much appears to
have changed over the years.
The repast at 10 Race Course even now is incomplete without desserts
like 'Panucha' and 'Kheer', says Karuna.
Vajpayee has however not forgotten his stature as a national leader.
The South finds as much of a representation in his diet as the
ubiquitous North-Indian fare. The Prime Minister's day, reveal sources,
often begins with a platter of idlis at breakfast.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP's ideological opponent in the
Cow Belt Mulayam Singh Yadav is as different from Vajpayee as chalk
from cheese.
Once a famous wrestler from Etawah, the Samajwadi Party leader still
swears by the nutritious value of 'channa', says younger brother Shiv
Pal. Those who have known Yadav for a long time, claim he's completely
vegetarian and as a devotee of Lord Hanuman, has never touched an egg
in his life.
Plain 'channa rotis' and few glasses of Mattha (buttermilk) is what
his brother loves the most, says Shiv Pal. Despite subsisting on simple
fare like Chane Ka saag, Chaulai, Makke ki Roti and Sarson Ka Saag,
this 62-year-old stalwart of UP politics can reportedly floor grapplers
half his age.
Several brave attempts to introduce this Son of the Soil to exotic
Chinese dishes and American burgers have ended in failure.
On the other hand, Mayawati, whom Yadav ousted from power sometime
back, enjoys her food and doesn't mind if it shows on her ample frame.
Like Atal, she is also partial to various mouth-watering Moghlai
preparations like Murg Musallam, Shami, boti and gelawat kebabs.
Biryani, however, is not popular with the 'BSP tigress'. The Dalit
leader has been known to take offence at any well-meant suggestion to
reduce weight.
But the greatest culinary secret undoubtedly lies in the Congress
camp. Regardless of the debate about her 'foreign origins', Leader of
Opposition Sonia Gandhi is very conscious about her health and has
strictly regimented eating habits.
According to UPCC members close to her, the Congress leader avoids
pastas, pizzas, noodles and almost any kind of junk food.
At Amethi's Sanjay Gandhi Hospital Guest House where Gandhi stayed a
number of times while on the campaign trail, she reportedly chose 'daal'
and 'roti' over all other fancy dishes that party workers offered to
ferry down from Lucknow.
Those who know her say the Congress President has few hang-ups as
far as food is concerned. Fruit juices are a must for Sonia. In winters
especially, a few glasses of freshly squeezed orange find their way to
her table. Besides this, her penchant for smoked salmon is also well
known.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
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