It must have been a special cup of tea that Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav shared with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today, just ahead of the Cabinet meeting.

Sources say the menu was quite interesting, as it revolved around food. Or, specifically, the food security bill.

What the prime minister wanted was Yadav's support for the passage of the food security bill in the monsoon session of Parliament beginning in August; and, the latter's expectations were clear-cut too.

Yadav proposed a list of 10 amendments to UPA 2's most ambitious scheme, and that the Centre release special funds for Uttar Pradesh. The prime minister, our sources tell us, has been mulling over the suggestions since then.

If the government agrees to play ball - and, really, there is little option before the UPA but to do Yadav's bidding - then other things fall into place. Like heading into general elections this year itself on the back of a populist food bill.

When you think about it, it's quite remarkable how such momentous things actually revolve around a simple cup of tea!