Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad have decided not to celebrate Holi this year to express solidarity with the family of ruling Janata Dal (United) legislator Abhay Singh, who shot dead his wife and daughter before killing himself.
Both Mr. Kumar and Mr. Prasad were close friends of the deceased legislator’s father Bihar Food and Consumer Protection Minister Narendra Singh since college days in Patna.
Several Bihar legislators and parliamentarians would also not celebrate the festival of colours Monday, owing to the death.
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Official sources in Chief Minister’s official residence here said Mr. Kumar will refrain from celebrating Holi. “After the shocking incident, the chief minister will not celebrate Holi,” an official said on Saturday.
Mr. Prasad will not play his trademark ‘kapdaphaar’ (cloth-tearing) Holi with supporters to the singing of traditional Bhojpuri songs and drum beats.
“We have family relations with Narendra Singh and we are with him in the time of tragedy. I will not play ‘kapdaphaar’ Holi this year,” he said.
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Abhay Singh, legislator from Jamui, shot dead his wife Soni Devi and an infant daughter Rashi and later killed himself on Friday, police said.
The incident sent shockwaves in political circles across the state.