Iftar parties missing from Uttar Pradesh's political spectrum

Contrary to their earlier practice, Congress and Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh have not hosted the traditional Iftar party this Ramzan apparently because of the severe drubbing in the Lok Sabha elections. 

Though nobody from the two parties came on record on the issue, sources said the mood in the parties was despondent in the wake of electoral defeat and was thus forced to give up the practice this year with the holy month coming to a close shortly.

The ruling BJP has always kept a distance from hosting any such gathering. Earlier, chief ministers from the BJP hosted Iftar parties in the state. However, when Yogi Adityanath came to power, he discontinued the tradition.

Known for its lavish Iftars, the Samajwadi Party organised the event at its headquarters in Lucknow every year irrespective of whether being in power or out of it. 

As chief minister, BSP supremo Mayawati also used to host Iftar parties every year in luxurious five-star hotels but after losing power she has dropped the custom. The tradition of hosting Iftar parties is seen as a way of reaching out to the minority community. Iftar is the meal which Muslims have to break a day-long fast (Roza) in the month of Ramzan.

Read: Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria Slams Pakistan Over Ill-treatment Of Guests At Iftar In Islamabad, Says 'such Tactics Are Counter-productive For Bilateral Relations'

Earlier on Sunday, BJP and JDU leaders skipped the ''iftar'' party hosted by each other. JDU had organised an ''iftar'' party at Haj Bhavan. However, no BJP leader was present on the occasion, sources said. RJD ally and former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi did participate in the ''iftar.''

BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi also organised an ''iftar'' party in which no JDU leader was present.

RJD leader and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi also hosted an ''iftar'' party at her residence in Bihar capital Patna. Several leaders of the grand-alliance including Jitan Ram Manjhi and Shivanand Tiwari attended the event.