Patna,(BiharTimes): This time both chief minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad skipped the function in which they were supposed to share the dais.

Unlike the caste rallies, it was the book release function to mark the 41st anniversary of the launch of JP’s Total Revolution on June 5, 1974. The book, “Kamere mein Sampoorn Kranti 1974,” (Total Revolution of 1974 Caught in Camera) is in fact a collection of photographs by Satya Narayan Dusre, a lensman-cum-JP movement activist.
Apart from avoiding face-to-face encounter both Nitish and Lalu chose not to be present on the occasion as the organizers had invited former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani and JD(U) president Sharad Yadav as well the BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, who was the chief guest for the occasion.

Nitish-Lalu duo did not want to come face to face, but they also wanted to avoid sharing dais with Advani and even Sushil Modi so close to the Assembly election.

Advani did not turn up. Sharad who returned from Saharsa to Patna left for New Delhi. Lalu was out in Araria and Nitish was present at the official function at JP roundabout.

It was left upto the former minister and Rajya Sabha MP, Shivanand Tiwari, to come down heavily on dictatorial style of functioning of Nitish Kumar, who incidentally is a product of the JP movement. He said that nowadays sycophancy reigns supreme and leaders do not tolerate dissent.

Speaking on the occasion SuMo sought doubling of monthly pension for those who took part in the JP movement from the state government. The Nitish government on June 5, 2009 announced pension scheme for those who participated in it on the lines of freedom fighters.