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'Old habits die hard'

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee committed a faux paus in the Lok Sabha last day, when he referred to Balram Jakhar of the Congress as belonging to the ruling side.

When Vajpayee got up to reply to the debate on the motion of thanks for the President's address, he noted the debate from the 'ruling side' was initiated by Jakhar. However, he was quick on his tongue -- no sooner had the words rolled out, he realised his mistake.

"Old habits die hard," he laughed, referring to the long years he spent in Opposition.

Vajpayee went on to jocularly remark that those in Opposition had come to occupy the benches after too long. He expressed the hope that they would occupy that position for a long time.

Members, meanwhile, were all laughing.