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Rajnath Singh 'skips' Champaran centenary fete, kicks off row

President Pranab Mukherjee was the Chief Guest, has kicked off a controversy, with the grand alliance and NDA attacking each other for "politicising" a government event.

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President Pranab Mukherjee and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, along with other dignitaries at a Champaran Satyagrah centenary celebration function in Patna on Monday
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Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's last-minute decision to keep away from a Champaran Satyagrah centenary celebration function, in which President Pranab Mukherjee was the Chief Guest, has kicked off a controversy, with the grand alliance and NDA attacking each other for "politicising" a government event.

Incidentally, Rajnath had also skipped the April 10 Champaran centenary fete, organised by the Union government in Delhi.

Singh, along with Mukherjee and Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, had confirmed attendance at 'Akhil Bharatiya Swatantra Senani Sammaan Samaroh' organised by the government of Bihar to felicitate over 800 freedom fighters from across the country on Monday. However, he later pulled out, which led to the state unit of NDA also boycotting the event.

"Nitish are you insulting or felicitating freedom fighters by inviting Lalu convict in scam & Rahul on bail in NH case?" tweeted senior BJP leader Sushil Modi, while former Bihar BJP chief Mangal Pandey said it was unfortunate for the President to share the dais with someone like Lalu. BJP ally and former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi too kept away while Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP alleged that it had not been invited to the event.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, however, trashed all allegations and said he had extended invitation to leaders of all political outfits. "It is a matter of pride that we are commemorating Bapu's 100 years of arrival in Bihar. This is a state government programme without any political motive," said Nitish.

The Bihar CM said Union Home Minister was invited as he is a senior leader and his department runs Swatantra Senani Sammaan Yojana. "Gandhiji has said, Jo sahmat hi accha hai, par jo na ho unse ghrina mat karo," said Nitish, expressing hurt over boycott by the Opposition.

RJD President Lalu Prasad minced no words in attacking the BJP over abstaining from the event. "Why did they give consent initially when they knew Rahul and I will be here? They only want to demoralise Nitish," Lalu said, accusing the saffron party of worshipping Nathuram Godse while showing that they follow Gandhi's ideals.

Over 800 freedom fighters were invited, of which 15 were felicitated by the President. Mukherjee pitched for celebration of the country's diversity, "There is something precious in people.. over 200 languages, seven major religions, different races, yet one identity - Indian."

Speaking along similar lines, Rahul Gandhi said people will not accept those who try to divide or instill fear in them. Senior leaders from the grand alliance were also present on the occasion.

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