It started when Department of Agriculture came to distribute mangoes and mango plants in the state assembly. But the Opposition took the gesture unpleasantly. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders refused to take mangoes and accused the government of being insensitive, former minister Shivchandra Ram said, “Government should be ashamed. Instead of distributing these mangoes in assembly, they should sell them and provide food to poor children.”

Former Chief Minister Rabri Devi criticised the move. “While many poor children died due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome, Government is busy distributing mangoes in assembly. This clearly shows the government’s insensitive attitude,” said Rabri. 

Quite surprisingly, some RJD leaders took mangoes as well as the plants despite party’s refusal. On questioned, RJD’s Shameem distributed them amongst party workers. However, unable to resist temptation, another RJD MLA, Ravindra Kumar took mangoes home. When JD(U) MLA Ashok Kumar Singh came to fetch mangoes, he was questioned by press. To fend them off, Singh offered mangoes to reporters. But after they kept on asking him questions, he said, “Though I am taking these mangoes but we express our sensitivity towards the children who tragically died of AES.”

Meanwhile, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) welcomed the move. Linking it to environmental issues, party MLA Raju Tiwari said, “What’s wrong in this?  The more mango trees we plant, the more reduction in heat. This will eventually reduce the spread of AES.”

― Zee Media Newsroom