Patna, Jan 14 (PTI) Rebel Congress leader AshokChoudhary today caused ripples in political circles here whenattended a feast hosted by Bihar JD(U) president BashishthaNarayan Singh, a day after he was conspicuous by his absenceat a meeting of legislators belonging to his party.
Talking to reporters at the residence of Singh,Choudhary, a former president of Bihar Pradesh CongressCommittee said "I have been close to Dada (Singh) for long andI have come here because of our personal relationship. Apolitical colour ought not to be given to everything".
However, in reply to a query on future politicalscenario, Choudhary who was accompanied by two other CongressMLAs Dilip Choudhary and Munna Tiwari - cryptically remarked"there are no full stops in politics".
Choudhary was a minister in the Grand Alliancegovernment which consisted of the JD(U), the RJD and theCongress and is known to be close to chief minister NitishKumar.
Congress faction close to Lalu Prasad's RJD has beenaccusing Choudhary of trying to split the party with the helpof his supporters, which led to his removal as the state unitchief a few months ago.
Yesterday at a meeting convened by CongressLegislature Party leader Sadanand Singh, Choudhary wasconspicuous by his absence though his close aides maintainedthat it was because he was out of station and returned toPatna only late in the night.
However, party sources also claimed that besidesChoudhary nearly a dozen other legislators uncomfortable withthe Congress' unflinching support to RJD in the aftermath ofLalu Prasad's conviction in the fodder scam skipped themeeting.
Meanwhile, the day witnessed feasts of "chura"(flattened rice) "dahi" (curd) and "tilkut" (sweet made ofsesame mixed with jaggery) organised by various constituentsof the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.
The chief minister attended the one hosted by hisparty's state president before heading for the Lok JanshaktiParty Office where he was received by Union Minister Ram VilasPaswan and LJP Parliamentary Board chief Chirag Paswan.
The feast hosted by Paswan was also attended by seniorBJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi andformer Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who heads theHindustani Awam Morcha.
The chief minister also attended another feastorganized by BJP MLC Rajnish. PTI NACRG.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.