Rabri skips Chhath again, CM’s house all decked up

PATNA: Former CM Rabri Devi will not perform Chhath for the fourth consecutive year. However, the official residence of chief minister Nitish Kumar is all decked up for this pious festival. The CM’s close relatives will perform the Chhath rituals.
Sources said CM’s nieces, sister-in-law and nephew’s wife would observe Chahth at 1, Anne Marg. “The ‘kharna’ prasad will be distributed by around 6.30pm on Tuesday,” said a source, adding ‘nahay-khay’ ritual was performed on Monday. The CM had helped his relatives perform Chhath rituals at his official residence in the past too.
However, at the 10 Circular Road of Rabri, Chhath vibes were missing. Rabri had left for Delhi along with her “ailing” husband Lalu Prasad last week. Their younger son, Tejashwi Prasad, had also accompanied his parents.
Rabri used to perform Chhath rituals in presence of her children in Patna earlier. However, it has been four years now since the Chhath rituals were performed by Rabri here. RJD’s state spokesperson Chitranjan Gagan said Rabri has skipped Chhath celebrations due to health reasons. “She used to observe Chhath with full devotion. However, her health does not allow us to perform the rituals now,” Gagan added.
Following the return of Lalu to Patna last month, several RJD leaders had expected the family to celebrate Chhath here this time. However, they got dejected when Lalu left for Delhi citing poor health.
Meanwhile, several netas were seen distributing puja materials among Chhath devotees on Monday. BJP’s state spokesperson Prem Ranjan Patel said all the party members were closely monitoring the cleanliness-related issues at the ghats. “Party members at local level are helping the devotees,” he added.
State Congress president Madan Mohan Jha visited several ghats with other party leaders. “We will distribute necessary materials among the devotees on Tuesday,” Congress state spokesperson Rajesh Rathhore said.
Chhath is also being observed at the residence of building construction minister Ashok Choudhary by his wife Neeta Keskar Choudhary.