Chouhan, Kamal Nath hug each other during Eid celebrations

Putting aside their political differences, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and state Congress president Kamal Nath hugged each other today during Eid celebrations here.

The two leaders, who often exchange barbs and trade charges, looked quite friendly in public.

It so happened that Chouhan, who belongs to the BJP, and Nath, went to wish Muslim faithful on Eid at Idgah Hills area.

Both climbed the stage built by the Bhopal Municipal Corporation outside the Idgah compound almost at the same time to greet the Muslim community members coming out after the Eid 'namaaz'.

Amid the festive fervour, Chouhan and Nath smiled and embraced each other, much to the surprise of people around.

They also hugged some of the Muslim community members present on the stage and greeted them on the occasion of Eid, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramzan.

This practice of politicians greeting Muslims on Eid at Idgah Hills is going on since decades.

The bonhomie between Chouhan and Nath, a former Union minister, comes months ahead of the assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, where their parties, the BJP and the Congress, respectively, will take on each in what is likely to be a bitter electoral fight.