Tej Pratap Yadav with Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: As is customary in Bihar on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, political parties and leaders host traditional feasts each year. On Tuesday, a chura-dahi (flattened rice and curd) feast was organised at the residence of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, which was attended by Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Speaking to the media, Tej Pratap Yadav said he attended the event after accepting the invitation for the *chura-dahi* feast. He added that he himself would be hosting a similar feast, to which the Deputy Chief Minister had also been invited.
“Makar Sankranti is an occasion when leaders meet and exchange greetings. That is why we have come today. We have also invited Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha to our feast, which will be held on January 14,” Tej Pratap Yadav said.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said that he organises a feast every year on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and extends invitations to leaders across the political spectrum. “Several NDA leaders participated in the feast. Tej Pratap Yadav was also invited, and it was good that he came. He has invited me as well, and I will attend,” Sinha said.
BJP MLA Mahesh Paswan said that Makar Sankranti is traditionally a time when leaders from different parties meet one another and share festive meals. “There is no political significance to Tej Pratap Yadav’s presence. Such interactions should continue in politics,” he remarked, dismissing speculation about political proximity to the NDA.
It may be recalled that following the Anushka Yadav episode, Tej Pratap Yadav distanced himself from the Rashtriya Janata Dal. Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, he formed the Jan Shakti Janata Dal and contested from Mahua constituency, though he was defeated.
Traditionally, Makar Sankranti feasts are organised every year in Bihar, a practice initiated by Lalu Prasad Yadav. This year, a feast is scheduled at Tej Pratap Yadav’s residence on January 14, followed by events at the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) office on January 15 and at the residence of BJP national executive president Nitin Nabin on January 16.
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