Patna, Sept. 21: Chief minister Nitish Kumar’s decision to skip the birth anniversary function of former CM Bhola Paswan Shastri organised by JD(U)’s Dalit cell today disappointed a gathering of around 1,000 people belonging to Scheduled Caste (Paswans) at SK Memorial Hall from across the state.

The ostensible reason behind his absence was the sparse attendance in the function.

Members of the Paswan community were excited when they arrived at the venue, but were later crestfallen after it was announced that Nitish would not come to the show. All arrangements had been made for his visit in accordance to the protocol of the chief minister’s security. The police had beefed up security in and around the hall and conducted proper checks.

On other hand, artistes sang songs in praise of the Nitish Kumar government. He was scheduled to arrive at the venue at 1pm but by that time, only half of the hall’s seats were occupied. When the organisers were informed that Nitish would arrive at 1.30pm, there was enough time to summon more people but even then it could not exceed more than 1,000. The rest of the seats in the 2,400-seater air-conditioned hall remained vacant.

Gradually, the patience of the crowd wore off. Sensing the mood, JD(U) Dalit cell president Ram Balak Paswan took the microphone at 1.45pm and announced that the chief minister would soon reach along with JD(U) state president Basistha Narayan Singh.

Paswan then started calling individual names and requested a few of them to come on stage and asked them pay tributes to Shastri. After taking his chair, Paswan started making calls to ascertain Nitish’s whereabouts. It was past 2.30pm.

Ram Naresh Paswan, who came all the way from Nawada district, said: “It seems that Nitishji will not come today and we are being made fools over here. What’s the use to travel so far just for nothing? It’s an insult to our leader. He does not have time to come for this big programme where thousands of people have come to listen to him.”

Another Dalit supporter, Subodh Paswan from Begusarai district, said: “Nitish Kumar has disappointed us, at least he should have come for five minutes at least.” It was 2.35pm.

Ten minutes later, Basistha Narayan Singh reached the venue and said: “The chief minister is not coming today to attend the programme, he is busy with some work.”

Sources later said the JD(U) Dalit cell president threatened to resign from his post after facing humiliation in front of his supporters.