Lalu turns poet

New Delhi, Feb 22 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad was at his poetic best as he peppered his Railway Budget speech in the Lok Sabha today with stirring couplets, drawing 'wah-wah's' from members across the political spectrum.

He even added one of his own while reading out from the written speech.

Announcing that 2006 will be the year of Passenger Service with a smile, he said: ''Mun me bhav seva ka, hontho par muskan, Behtar seva wazib daam, rail ki hogi yeh pehchan.'' On his own he added: ''Isi liye badi hai railway ki shaan, Sukha hua hai apna jaan,'' drawing widespread laughter.

Even the chicken, much maligned due the bird flu, appeared in Mr Lalu's speech when he was announcing food at nominal rates for the running staff during hours.

''Murgi bhi (Chicken also),'' he exlaimed when some ruling party members mentioned it.

But he was quick to add: ''Pehle sab vibhaag ke kha le, bhir hum apne ko khilayenge (Let other department people eat chicken, then we will serve ours.'' At this, the party members again burst into laughter.

Pointing out that the UPA government had decided to tread a new path, instead of following the beaten one, he said: ''Hum bhi dariya hai, apna hunar hame maloom hai, jis taraph bhi chal padenge, rastaa ban jayega..' The members thumped the desks shouting 'wah-wah, wah-wah'.

The Minister again made use of the couplets when he said a level playing under a transparent policy will be provided to investors by further simplifying the policy of public-private parternership.

''Ek kadam hum badhe, ek kadam tum.

aao milkar naap de, phasle chand tak.'' Highlighting the thrust of the Budget speech, he said: ''Hum na haare par wo jeete, aisa hai prayas musafir ho rail ka raja, hum sabki ye aas.'' UNI YJ RP BD1555