The buzz doing the rounds in 10 Janpath is that whenever there is a crisis in the country or party, the self-proclaimed Chanakya of the Congress, Ahmed Patel, is found travelling, that too by the slow and steady railway. About 17 years ago when the Babri demolition incident had taken place on December 6, Ahmed Patel was in a train and on this December 6 too he would be on Haj pilgrimage. It is a special trademark of Ahmed Patel’s politics that he shies away from commenting on controversial issues. He is constantly a compulsion for the Congress in Gujarat because he is a recognised face in minority politics. He is as dear to Narendra Modi as to 10 Janpath so he is well adept at handling difficult political situations. Whenever Patel’s name is suggested for speaking on controversial issues, the sharp Patel is quick to sense the mood and he takes to a train ride. This lesson in political journey is something one needs to learn from Patel.