JD(U) MLC Mahachandra Prasad Singh presents a rose, which he allegedly plucked from the Assembly garden, to chief minister Nitish Kumar. Picture by Deepak Kumar

In the corporate world, wishing the boss on birthday with bouquets is in vogue. In politics, leaders can go any distance to get flowers to wish the chief.

Friday was chief minister Nitish Kumar’s 62nd birthday. The JD(U) legislators caught unaware on the D-day plucked roses from the garden on the Assembly premises to say it with flowers.

At least 12 legislators plucked roses from the garden and wished Nitish with them. The objections of the poor gardener went in vain.

The first to “plough” in the garden was Mahachandra Prasad Singh, a JD(U) MLC. He was one among the many looking for flowers at the eleventh hour. One of his peers suggested him to get one from the garden.

Wasting no time, Singh entered the garden and plucked a rose to please his boss. He did his “duty” successfully. But the poor gardener could not.

When Singh was about to pluck the rose, the gardener said: “Sir, do not pluck flowers, I will lose my job. It is my duty to ensure that no one touches them.”

The MLC retorted: “Have you gone crazy? Can’t you see it’s the birthday of Nitishji and you are stopping me from plucking flowers? Nothing will happen to you. Do your work.”

Head down, the gardener wondered if doing the duty was wrong.

Head held high, Singh walked towards the Assembly premises.

As soon as Nitish reached the portico, Singh offered him the rose and said: “Sir, janam din ki hardik badhai (Sir, best wishes on birthday).”

Nitish accepted the flower with a smile. Little did he know, Singh had plucked it from the garden on the Assembly premises.

Unlike Singh and at least a dozen others, industries minister Renu Kumari came prepared with a bouquet. The House was in session at 11am. But the minister was least interested in the proceedings.

When she learnt somehow that the car of the chief minister was about to reach the portico, she left the Assembly proceedings midway. At 11.15am, she was ready with the bouquet.

As soon as Nitish’s car reached the portico, Renu offered him the bouquet and touched his feet. Food and consumer protection minister Shyam Rajak was also in the queue to wish Nitish with flowers.

The JD(U) MLA from Baajpatti in Sitamarhi, Ranju Geeta, came to know about Nitish’s birthday when she saw Renu’s bouquet. She immediately called someone for a big bouquet and waited at the portico.

After some time, her driver brought the bouquet. But by then, Nitish had entered his official chamber.

In a hurry, she rushed towards Nitish’s chamber to wish him on his birthday. Several other legislators took turns to wish the chief minister.

Chief marshal of the Assembly B.P. Sinha alerted several legislators unaware of Nitish’s birthday. He told every MLA at the entrance: “Sir, it’s chief minister’s birthday today (Friday). Go and wish him. He is in his chamber.”