Where are you Mr Cabinet Minister?

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><script language="javascript">doweshowbellyad=0; </script><br />NEW DELHI: We''ve all lost a pen sometime, a cellphone, the unluckier even a vehicle. In extreme cases a pet, spouse. But how in the world do you lose a Union Minister? And once he''s gone, where do you find him?<br /><br />The Opposition had an idea betwixt much shouting and some muscle flexing on both sides of the political divide.Amid the expected "Shibu Soren <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">haazir karo</span>" and "Shibu-Sonia <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">ek hai, baaki sab fake hai</span>" in Parliament, the more creative BJP MPs were heard suggesting "10 Janpath", much to the chagrin of the treasury benches.<br /></div> <div align="left" style="position:relative; left: -3"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" align="left" border="1" width="36.8%"> <colgroup> <col width="100.0%" /> </colgroup> <tr valign="top"> <td width="100.0%" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="" valign:="" top="" background-color:="" f3f3f3=""> <div class="Normal"><img src="/photo/787346.cms" alt="/photo/787346.cms" border="0" /></div> </td> </tr> </table></div> <div class="Normal">That is far-fetched, but a hunt for the missing minister is in order. This, after all, is not a portly pop singer in dramatic robes and diamond studded pug gone underground. It is the government. So where can Shibu Soren be?<br /><br />Taking a cue from the Opposition''s effort, here are some of our own suggestions:<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">In a swank private hospital ward:</span> It''s the most popular retreat this summer for political leaders from Bihar and its neighbourhood.<br /><br />In fact, it is universal. Talk arrest and a neta falls ill and lands in hospital.<br /><br />There is some confusion whether a "wanted" political leader is a leader first or wanted first. That would decide where in the hospital he would be lodged.<br />Ram Vilas Paswan''s heavyweight crony Pappu Yadav, ex-MP, refused to be housed in the section for prisoners. Soren as Union Minister would undoubtedly have the best quarters. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Next page: </span><a href="/articleshow/msid-787344,curpg-2.cms">Where is Soren?</a><br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal"><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">In Rishikesh:</span> Since Soren was last sighted in Delhi, a five-hour, undetected drive would fetch him up in a place where he could get lost for as long as he wants.<br /><br />With his dread locks and flowing beard, the minister is a dead-ringer for one of the myriad Sadhus that roam the banks of the Ganga. The minister may find it tough getting used to the mandatory austerity, but then again austerity isn''t quite what it used to be.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">In a Jharkhand forest temple:</span> Look deep. This man has been known as <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">bhagwan</span> (God) in his tribal constituency. If failed Bollywood actresses go down South to be revered as idols in temples, this man already has devotees. He just needs a safe house. What better than a house of God? Soren should be careful though. Right now he''s more fallen angel than God-like. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">In Shastri Bhawan:</span> The first Perry Mason tenet – did anyone check in the most obvious place? That ultimate haven of all babudom is a labyrinth. Files and other details get routinely lost, what''s a mantri or two.<br /><br />The massive building near the Parliament houses many ministries, among them coal and mines. Soren could well be holed up somewhere in office. That would technically put him in the right and also enable him to monitor all the chaos that he has caused. He must miss the attention, the last time he got all this much was almost a decade ago over a Rs 3.5 crore bribery case.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">West Bengal: </span>This one is too good to be true. But turns out it could well be the best bet. Some reports say Soren has parked himself near Kolkata, within driving distance of Jamtara in Jharkhand.<br /><br />Good intentions? Absolutely. Soren is believed to have quickly spotted the political mileage he can get. So he would probably like to surrender where he can get the sympathy of his tribal voters.<br /><br />There is a lesson to be learnt there – one about political silver linings in dark prison clouds. </div> </div>