Bihar Politics: Lalan Singh’s Mutton Feast During Saawan Sparks Political Row

Patna: Non-vegetarian dishes have made Bihar’s politics spicier on several occasions, and so union minister and senior JD (U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh aka Lalan Singh’ recent mutton party for party workers and supporters under his Munger constituency was no exception.

Lalan Singh listened to problems of common people at  Suryagarha in Lakhisarai district of Bihar (part of Munger constituency) to sort them out with local authorities and also threw a mutton party for them, creating a controversy as the feast was organised in the month of saawan. 

Although Lalan Singh made separate arrangements both for those who did not have any qualm in eating non-veg food during the month of saawan, and also for those who avoided eating non-veg food during the period.

As soon as he made an announcement about his mutton party, people rushed to the food stalls, jostling with each other to 'secure' as many mutton chunks as they could.

Singh said that he organised a party for all people who were present on the occasion as arrangements were made for those who observed saawan (veg) and also for those who did not (non-veg).

Two years ago, RJD chief Lalu Prasad had cooked mutton for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. The feast was held at the residence of Lalu's daughter Misa Bharti. Incidentally, it was the month of saawan.

Similarly, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had courted controversy over relishing fish with VIP leader Mukesh Sahani while flying on a helicopter during the campaign for the last Lok Sabha election.  

Lalu`s daughter, Rohinia Acharya who had unsuccessfully contested last Lok Sabha election, targeted Lalan Singh  for his mutton party and commented on ‘X’, “Pretend and weave deceitful tales, those who find fault in others' food and drink, these whisperers are cunning and greatly deceitful… The difference between their words and deeds, these are the ones who chant poisonous spells… They hide the essence of righteousness, licking their own spit, in reality, these are the double-faced ones.”