Patna: After a bout of will they or won't they, Lalu Prasad's family observed Chhath with a full house - with the RJD chief's all nine children and seven sons-in-law present.

"It is a very special Chhath because for the first time all of my children and my sons-in-law are present," Lalu said.

Lalu's younger son Tejashwi Yadav, who was out of town for over a month, participated in the festival along with elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav, sisters Misa Bharti, Rohini Devi, Chanda Singh, Ragini Yadav, Hema Yadav, Anushka Yadav and Raj Lakshmi, and their husbands.

Misa and Tej Pratap went out shopping for Chhath material at Income Tax roundabout on Thursday afternoon.

"It is the only festival in which God is visible and it signifies purity, cleanliness and discipline," Lalu said on Friday at his 10 Circular Road residence. "I pray to the Sun God to bestow peace across the world and prosperity on our farmers and state."

The RJD chief also attacked deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who had taken potshots at the family by tweeting that Rabri Devi was in doubt whether to observe Chhath or not because after being caught in scams the family had spent huge amounts on prayers and black magic. After that, Tejashwi had said his mother would observe Chhath despite being ill, and challenged Sushil's wife to compete with his mother.

Later, Sushil said God will not forgive Rabri even though she was doing Chhath because Lalu's family has earned money by unfair means.

"He is adharmi (non-religious) and does not know what religion is all about," Lalu said about Sushil. "Without thinking, he issues comments against us."

Tej Pratap went one step further: "Sushil Modi's mind is impure and he is a demon who will never understand the meaning of this festival."

Tejashwi said his mother has always observed the festival with full dedication and does it for the people of Bihar.