Ram Vilas Paswan’s views on Steel, Chemical and Fertiliers are not known yet. What is known is that he certainly wanted Railways and, as he told The Indian Express before the final list eventually settled matters, wasn’t too happy about Health—the portfolio prescribed to woo him back. Excerpts from an interview with Toufiq Rashid • What is your agenda as new minister? How can I have an agenda if I don’t know what my portfolio is? • But you and your people did announce the two ministries you’d get. Can’t tell you anything till the meeting is over. Nobody knows who is getting what, even the Congress people don’t know. • But aren’t you getting Health? That was what your partymen said yesterday. What is health when there is no wealth?
