Political leaders celebrate Chhath in Bihar

As Bihar celebrated Chhath, a festival dedicated to the Sun god, political leaders of all hues took part into it, and in some cases, joined rituals at the house of a rival party leader.
Cutting across party lines, the leaders participated in prayers and rituals spread over two days. Many of them visited river banks to observe the festivities, while some attended the ceremonies being held at the residences of other politicians.
Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, visited his relative, former Congress MLC Jyoti Kumari on the occasion.
Though LJP and Congress are at loggerheads, Paswan's actor-turned-MP son Chirag Paswan and other family members also went with him to Kumari's house. Several leaders from both the parties were present on the occasion, presenting a spectacle of rare bonhomie among rivals.

"Chhath is the biggest festival of Bihar. Political differences do not matter in it. Kumari is the mother-in-law of my youngest daughter. She is first my relative and a rival party leader later on. I have been participating in Chhath at her residence every year since 2005," the LJP chief said.
No Chhath was celebrated at the residence of senior JD (U) leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar like yesteryears.
Kumar's sister used to observe fast and other rituals associated with it at 1 Anne Marg, his official residence when he was the chief minister, but could not do so this time as she is taking care of her ailing husband.

However, Kumar participated in the Evening and Morning Arghya (offerings) at the house of his party MLC Ranbirnandan, who had earlier been with the BJP.