RJD chief Lalu Prasad offers a drink to Governor Devanand Konwar as LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan looks on. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Aug. 26: The guests were asked to sit on the floor and fried gram and rice were the main course on offer.

The simple fare — it could be called Spartan compared to chief minister Nitish Kumar’s 15-course menu at his Iftar party last week — however, did not put off the 15,000 visitors at 10 Circular Road. For, the host, former chief minister Lalu Prasad, was out to take care of the guests himself.

His wife, Rabri Devi, was also supposed to attend the feast. However, she had to cancel the visit at the last moment. RJD public relations officer Randhi Kumar said one of the relatives of Rabri had taken ill in Delhi and so she decided to stay back.

A number of political glitterati attended the Iftaar party at the RJD chief’s place. At the top of the list was Governor Devanand Konwar.

Lalu rushed to the gate to receive him when he heard the siren of the governor’s car. Konwar was greeted by a warm hug. He could hardly conceal a broad smile as Lalu gave him a skull cap.

When Konwar had visited Nitish’s party, he did not wear any cap. Sources said the discomfort was evident on the governor’s face while at Nitish’s Iftaar. At Lalu’s house, however, he was totally as ease. He spent more time here than at the chief minister’s official residence.

A number of RJD leaders attended the party. So did LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and other LJP leaders. Buxar MP Jagdanand Singh, however, was absent from the gathering.

Leader of the Opposition Abdul Bari Siddiqui also attended the party but he chose to remain aloof. Siddiqui sat in a corner to avoid socialising with other political leaders or the guests.

Unlike previous years, when the Iftar party at Lalu’s house used to be characterised by chaos, this time everything was disciplined.

Lalu and the RJD workers ensured that those break- ing the fast did not face any problem.

At Nitish’s party, caterers had been called to serve the guests. At Lalu’s gathering, RJD workers were serving sherbet and water to devotees and visitors.

Lalu also wished every one and said the holy month of Ramazan would bring peace and prosperity to everyone. While his guests broke fast, Lalu could not help refer to Jan Lokpal Bill activist Anna Hazare’s hunger strike.

“The bill can only be discussed in Parliament, as that is the supreme body. All political parties want Anna Hazare to break his fast. We are concerned about his health,” said Lalu. As he bid his guests farewell, Lalu also wished them a happy Id.