Former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal President lalu Prasad, who is known for his splendid arrangements during festivals surrounded by his party workers, celebrated Vijadashmi in isolation at Birsa Munda Central Jail this Dusshera. lalu, who used to organise ‘Bidesia’ every year at his residence in Patna, had to restrict on bhakti-music being played in the pandals of nearby localities of Hotwar.
Barring Ranch MP Subodh Kant Sahay and MlA Bandhu Tirkey, regular visitors like Suresh Paswan, Sanjay Yadav and Anaapurna Devi were not seen around the Jail to wish him on Vijayadashmi.
“I had gone to meet lalu ji and asked him about his well-being. On Vijayadashmi, I also wished him that he may get out of his problems soon,”
said Tirkey.
According to Tirkey, he remained there for over three hours and had an extensive talk on the political scenario in Jharkhand. Tirkey was also said to have made complaints against the Hemant Soren Government as he was not given his due in the current Government. His political juniors however, have been awarded with plum posts in the current Government.
Subodh Kant Sahay, who reached after Tirkey to wish lalu on Vijaydashmi, also discussed these things with him.
lalu, on the other hand, observed ‘Navratra’ in jail as usual this year and performed puja inside his cell where the jail authorities had made all arrangements for him. He, however, could not enjoy Bidesia, a local Bhojpuri dance form of Bihar he used to organise every year. Bidesia is known for its intensity of presentation, simplicity of language and unsophisticated style. It is not actually a dance form but, a kind of ‘Tamasaha’ which reflects the culture of the region. It is also very rich in variety and emotional contents.