In the hung assembly, the fate of Lalu hangs in balance. To swallow defeatafter remaining in absolute power for 15 years, after continued bluster andbraggadocio, must indeed be a painful exercise. As the results started tricklingin, the darling of the TV screens remained indoors, ignoring the battery ofvideo cameras and OB vans, with only a handful of party men for company. Theabsence of drum beating and slogan shouting RJD workers was deafeninglyeloquent. The place was swarmed only by the assorted media personnel.