Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya celebrated Holi, festival of colours, in his Chandigrah Raj Bhavan on March 17, Thursday. Newly sworn in Punjab’s Aam Aadmin Party Chief Minister Bhagawant Mann was the special attraction at this “Holi Milan Samaroh”. Haryana CM Madanlal Khattar, Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit were other main guests.
Haryana Governor Dattatreya, popularly called Dattanna in Hyderabad, his hometown, in Telangana is known for hosting festival get-together events. Every Dasara, he hosts “Alai-Bhalai” (meet and greet) gathering where sumptuous spreads are offered to hundreds of invitees. From last year on, his daughter is hosting “Alai Bhalai”.
Dattanna makes it a point to invite leaders from all political parties to his Alai-Bhalai events. Brief speeches would be there, but without any political controversies. This tradition made him friend of all parties and non-controversial personality. He won many times from Secunderabad LS seat and held minister poss in Vajpayee and Modi governments earlier. He was also Governor of Himachal Pradesh.
In Thursday’s Holi milan, Haryana Assembly speaker Gian Chand Gupta, Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala, Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal, Haryana CM’s principal secretary DS Dhesi, Haryana Governor’s secretary Atul Dwivedi, former army chief General VP Malik and other leaders and official were present.
According to Haryana Governor’s private secretary Kailash Nagesh, Dattatreya offered sweets and colours to the guests and the Raj Bhavan presented a festive look. AAP CM Bhagawant Mann joined the gathering by applying tilaks and greeting each of them. This is the first occasion where the AAP CM mingled freely with his Haryana counterpart – CM Madanlal Khattar of BJP.
In fact, Mann after his swearing in ceremony on March 16, Wednesday was greeted by Prime Minister Modi. This sets tone for amicable settlement of many pending issues between Punjab and Haryana.
