BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi made a surprise ‘appearance’ in Bihar on Friday and Saturday to ‘join’ in the celebration of Chhath, the most popular festival of Bihar.
Modi’s latest ‘foray’ into the state ruled by his arch rival Nitish Kumar was, however, symbolic in nature: in his ‘Chhath avatar’ pictures at ‘NaMo arghya stalls’ set up to distribute oblation material to Chhath devotees.
Sources said newly constituted Modi fans’ associations set up at least 15 such stalls at Chhath venues in Saharsa, about 250 km from state capital Patna.
These stalls displayed banners showing Modi carrying a basketful of Chhath puja material on his head. “In the picture, he is every bit a match for a Bihari observing Chhath with reverence,” said a BJP leader.
For those who wondered where Modi may have participated in Chhath to be photographed as a devotee, Saharsa district BJP chief Rajiv Ranjan let the cat out of the bag. “It is a computer generated picture of Narendrabhai that has been used on the banners to facilitate his greater connect with the people of Bihar”, Ranjan told HT on Saturday.
A majority of Biharis worship the Sun god during Chhath to pray for the prosperity of their family and friends, and make wishes.
{{/usCountry}}A majority of Biharis worship the Sun god during Chhath to pray for the prosperity of their family and friends, and make wishes.
{{/usCountry}}With Lalu lodged in a Ranchi jail after he was convicted in a fodder scam case last month, cut outs showing him carrying out Chhath rituals appeared at Rabri’s 10, Circular road, Patna, residence where her family assembled to observe the festival.