Leaders seek divine powers for victory - Oct 14, 2010

Leaders seek divine powers for victory

Faizan Ahmad, TNN, Oct 14, 2010, 11.41pm IST


Tags:puja pandals|nitish kumar|election-bound bihar
PATNA: Puja and polls go together in the election-bound Bihar. Right from homes to puja pandals, people revere goddess Durga but discuss election.

Not only the commoners, the leaders and candidates are also caught between the two rituals - one religious, the other democratic. Durga Puja just before polls is also being seen by many as a good omen and an opportunity to seek divine blessing for the election victory.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar and archrival RJD chief Lalu Prasad are not behind in observing the religious rituals after taking time off from their busy campaign schedule. Both are expected to take a break from stumping and remain at home on Maha Navmi and Vijaya Dashmi falling on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

At 1, Anne Marg, the chief minister's official residence, some arrangements have been made for the puja by Nitish's elder brother Satish Kumar, mother Parmeshwari Devi and other members of the family. "Kalash sthapna" notwithstanding, there is nothing like festivity on the premises, said an insider. "Idols have not been installed there," he added.

The CM may join the family in offering puja, sources said. Nitish returned after a hectic week-long campaigning on Thursday evening . He will again go for another round of stumping on Friday.

At a stones throw distance, puja preparations are in full swing at 10, Circular Road, the official residence of Leader of Opposition Rabri Devi. Although both Rabri and Lalu are busy in campaigning, the deeply religious couple are likely to perform puja and follow rituals on the two most auspicious days.

Another important festival that is being interrupted by the polls is "Chhath" to be observed on November 11 and 12. Both Rabri and Lalu observe this festival religiously with the former performing all the rituals spread over four days.

"Madam will take a break from electioneering and remain involved in Chhath festivities," said an RJD leader. Her husband Lalu and daughters will also join her. She performs puja at home and does not visit any temple or river ghat.

The first phase of polling will be held soon after Durga Puja on October 21, while the last phase will be held on November 20, after "Chhath".

It seems politicians in Bihar are invoking divine power to register victory over evil' in the assembly elections on which the leaders have greater stake.