Lalu Prasad Yadav Hosts Iftar Gathering Amid Mahagathbandhan Unity Concerns

Synopsis

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav hosted the annual Daawat-e-Iftar at the residence of MLC Abdul Bari Siddiqui, highlighting attendance from key RJD leaders amid concerns over unity within the Mahagathbandhan due to the absence of senior Congress figures.

Key Takeaways

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav hosted the annual Iftar.
Key RJD leaders attended, including Tejashwi Yadav.
Absence of top Congress leaders raised unity concerns.
Chirag Paswan hosted a separate Iftar with NDA leaders.
Nitish Kumar also held an Iftar, showcasing minority support.

Patna, March 24 (NationPress) RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav hosted the annual Daawat-e-Iftar on Monday at the residence of senior RJD leader and Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Abdul Bari Siddiqui located at 12 Strand Road.

The gathering saw attendance from prominent RJD figures, including Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, son and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, and numerous other party members.

Representatives from the Left parties were also in attendance.

While Lalu Prasad Yadav extended personal invitations to leaders via written letters, the noticeable absence of key Congress leaders became a focal point. Congress MLAs Pratima Das, Vijendra Chaudhary, and Ajaul Haq were present.

However, Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru and Congress State President Rajesh Kumar were notably missing.

Speaking to the press, Pratima Das minimized the issue by stating, "People come and go. Vijendra Chaudhary and Ajaul Haq are here."

Nonetheless, rumors of possible discord within the Mahagathbandhan have emerged. Recently, Krishna Allavaru asserted that Congress is not anyone’s “B team” and will approach elections as the public's "A team."

The absence of senior Congress leaders has prompted inquiries regarding unity within the coalition.

On the same day, LJP (Ram Vilas) chief and Union Minister Chirag Paswan also hosted an Iftar party at his party's office on Airport Road, Patna.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attended this event, where Chirag Paswan received him with a gesture of respect by touching his feet — a moment that drew attention.

Paswan, adorned with a tilak on his forehead, welcomed key NDA leaders such as Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Water Resource Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Rural Work Department Minister Ashok Choudhary, Deputy Speaker Vijay Kumar Sinha, and others.

The strong presence of NDA leaders was interpreted as a demonstration of unity ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Previously, on Sunday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had hosted his own Iftar gathering, which attracted a significant turnout from the minority community.