Law Minister Rana Sanaullah often gets into trouble for his loose tongue and unsavory remarks. Last time as an opposition leader he landed in trouble when he passed nasty remarks on the floor of the house against President Musharraf and one of his key aides who was equally nasty and bad-tempered. Then the goons of some agencies picked him up to teach a lesson. They kept him with them for sometime, cleaned his moustaches and subjected to other forms of torture. These people had to free Rana under political pressure. Rana then enjoyed sympathy from vast majority of people for standing up against a dictator. But this time around he had little sympathy of the people when he standing before cameras, without realizing and without any pause or pondering, he issued the most atrocious statement against Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, even implicating his family members, just to please his masters in the proxy war between PPP and PML(N). One does not expect from a saner person to come up with such a broadside, let alone a politician of his stature letting loose against his fellow colleague from other party and most importantly from a law minister who happens to be a key player of the provincial government, bringing into disrepute the whole political class. We do not know whether it was a mere slip of tongue or a pretty thought-out plan, but what-ever it was, it could have brought down the PPP-PML (N) government had saner elements not prevailed. The people who have seen Rana fighting against dictatorship never expected him to behave like a stooge. His objectionable remarks against Punjab Governor, it seemed, has hurt his credibility more than damaging Salman Taseer. In our political culture, steeped in sycophancy and personality cult, the politicians often indulge in behaviour for their survival which is least suitable to them or comes into more 'loyal than the king' category. They are called upon to engage in proxy wars being waged between their top leaders and their rivals. Some time government issues statement on their behalf and they come to know when somebody draws their attention 'how bombastic your statement was'. But the intelligent politicians, who care for their credibility and position, steer clear of such proxy wars or muck slinging campaigns. They do not allow anybody to use them beyond certain limits, let alone establishing themselves as a stooge. From a law minister, the people expect even saner conduct. It is expected of him to be more logical on crucial issues, using more subtle and nuanced expressions than issuing no hold barred statements swept by sentiments without knowing its consequences just to score points. His statement however created tumult in the country, especially in the political circles. The TV channels started debates live from dawn to dusk to explore the consequences of his below the belt remarks, especially its implication for the PML (N)-PPP alliance, considering it a final straw for the strained PPP-PML (N) alliance. His own party men were first to distance from his conduct. Both the Sharifs expressed their displeasure with what he said. According to some reports, they even warned him to stay cool. His other party men too were highly critical and apologetic about the whole episode. Rana's statement worked wonder for Taseer. He appeared as the wronged party in the entire incident. The people even forgot the letters he sent to the Punjab government. All the PPP bigwigs came out expressing solidarity with the Governor. President Zardari phoned Nawaz Sharif to express his displeasure over the incident. He also expected an apology from Rana for his uncalled for remarks. His call was followed by another one from Rehman Malik, reminding the Sharif the consequences of such a loose talk. We have a number of press conferences in the city, participated by a large number of PPP leaders. Muneer Ahmad Khan also held a separate press conference. Next day Rana had to eat his words and tender a veiled apology on the floor of the house. It seemed that the push that came from Islamabad has been taken quite seriously by the PML (N) leaders. One little bungling from the law minister has once again opened up the whole Pandora box. It seemed that all is not well with the fragile alliance and democracy in the country. The onslaught by Rana and reaction from PPP were considered as one last nail in coffin of PPP-PML (N) alliance. But the political analysts were taken by surprise to find damage-controlled measures being put in place so quickly. Rana Sana ullah tendered an apology, excepted by the PPP immediately. A rally was taken out from Assembly to Governor House to express solidarity with Asif Zardari. E-mail: nadeemsyed@nation.com.pk