Political rivals share 'chura and curd' on Makar Sankranti

The festival, which is celebrated with fanfare in the Hindi heartland particularly Bihar, saw arch rivals in the state politics joining hands and sharing the special meal to observe the harvest festival.

The 8 Ashoka Road residence of RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, who has been hosting a traditional lunch on this occassion since 1996, was the centre of attraction, where a large number of delicacies, all sourced from Bihar were lined up for the guests.

They included various varieties of beaten rice (chura) like Katarani, Sonachur and Mirchaiya from Bhagalpur, Sasaram and Bettiah and crisp Tilkuts from Gaya apart from assortment of sweets and vegetables.

JD-U chief Sharad Yadav, BJP national spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad, suspended JD-U MP Manganilal Mandal, Jainarayan Nishad and RJD Prem Gupta came to Singh's residence to wish him on the occassion.

Another centre for full throttle celebration of the festival was LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan's residence 12 Janpath.

All the leaders, who visited the RJD leader also came to Paswan's residence. JDU-BJP combine is in government in Bihar where RJD and LJP are in Opposition.

"We have been organising this informal celebration of the festival for last five six years. It's a kind of get together with friends, media and party workers," Paswan said.

When asked about the meeting of political rivals on this occasion, Sharad Yadav said that no political meaning should be read into it. "It's a popular festival more in Bihar and hence we all meet".

RJD President Lalu Prasad celebrated the festival in Patna.