Patna, March 6: Legislators of the state put their political colours aside today and celebrated Holi on the Assembly premises. They smeared gulal and hugged and greeted each other to augment the festive mood.

BJP MLA from Sasaram Jawahar Prasad was the first to plunge into the festive fray. He met his Opposition colleague from the RJD, Raghvendra Pratap Singh, at the entrance to the Assembly and smeared pink gulal on him. Then, the two legislators hugged and greeted each other.

“It is the festival of colour and joy,” said Prasad.

He added: “We should forget the conflict and bitterness inside the Assembly. We must forget the animosity and wish each other in Holi. This is the festival to extend our best greetings even to our political opponents.”

Other legislators, including water resources minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, labour resources minister Janardan Singh Sigriwal and sugarcane industries and minor irrigation minister Awadhesh Prasad Kushwaha, also fell prey to Prasad’s festive benevolence. He smeared colours on all of them. The cheerful MLA also sang traditional Holi songs.

Rural works minister Bhim Singh also played Holi. He said: “The festival of colour always ushers in peace and harmony in the society. Everyone should play Holi safely. It is the time to extend a helping hand to everyone.”

The RJD MLA, Dinesh Kumar Singh, also smeared gulal on his fellow legislators.

“Holi is the biggest festival of the Hindus but people of other religions also celebrate it. It shows the importance of this festival and the great respect that people have for it. This is the only time when we forget all our differences,” said Singh.

The festive mood was enhanced for the Assembly staff as legislators distributed Holi bakhshish (tips) generously. Sources said the most generous among them was the JD(U) MLA from Mokama, Anant Singh. He freely gave away Rs 500 denomination currency notes to the staff during his 10-minute visit to the Assembly. “I will celebrate Holi at home but I came here to wish the staff and my fellow legislators,” he said.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar was, however, missing from all the colourful action. He kept a low profile at the Assembly today and did not take part in the celebrations with others. Sources said he abstained from the revelry as he was scheduled to visit Kanti for an official function.