Amit Shah addressing the crowd at a yoga session in Patna
BJP President Amit Shah attended a special session in Patna on the occasion of International Yoga day today and hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for raising the country's flag in the world by getting a resolution passed by United Nations to accord recognition to yoga.
Leading the yoga practioners at Moin-ul-Haque stadium in the state capital, Shah in his brief speech counted virtues of the ancient exercise form and showered full-some praise on the PM for getting it world recognition.
Senior BJP leaders Sushil Kumar Modi, former Union minister CP Thakur and leader of opposition in Assembly Nand Kishore Yadav accompanied Mr Shah at the yoga session at the stadium where two girls conducted the class.
BJP and leaders of its NDA allies have fanned across Bihar to attend specials sessions on the day.
Union Food minister and LJP President Ram Vilas Paswan performed yoga 'asanas' at his Lok Sabha constituency Hajipur.
Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) founder and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who is all set to join hands with BJP in coming state poll, held yoga session for HAM workers at his 1, Anne Marg residence.
Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh performed 'asanas' at Motihari, Union ministers Manoj Sinha at Gaya, Giriraj Singh at Muzaffarpur and Sadhvi Niranjana Jyoti at Sitamarhi.
While, BJP leaders holding sessions with school children and people from different walks of lives at public functions, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, away from media glare, practiced his daily yoga routine at his residence.
"CM
saheb did his normal session of yoga at residence in the morning," Mr Kumar's private assistant at his 7, Circular Road residence said.
At Moin-ul-Haque stadium yoga session was conducted by two girls - Rukhsana Khatoon and Bismillah Khatoon hailing from West Champaran district. Daya Shambhu and Ashok Sarkar from Art of Living also demonstrated various yoga 'asanas' to thousands of people attending the session.
While Sushil Modi, CP Thakur, Union minister for state Ramkripal Yadav, state BJP chief Mangal Pandey and party in-charge for Bihar Bhupendra Yadav were a part of the crowd at the stadium to perform various 'asanas', Amit Shah in his pyaja-kurta and bandi attire sat on the dais and watched a large contingent of practioners.
Cautious that public demonstration of yoga does not violate model code of conduct in action in Bihar in view of elections to 24 seats of Legislative Council from local bodies scheduled on July 7 next, state Election Commission has asked political parties not to do anything in violation of the code.
"All political parties are requested to ensure that the official programme of World Yoga Day should not be used for political purposes as Model Code of Conduct is in force in the state. All DEO-cum-DMs have been directed to videograph these events and to ensure that no violation of MCC takes place," Chief Electoral Officer Bihar Ajay Naik said.
Mr Shah in his speech at the stadium said yoga teaches how a man can spend medicine-free life. He said choice of June 21 for International Yoga day was significant considering the fact its the longest day of the year.
"Yoga links body, mind and intellect," Mr Shah said.
"Today when the world is witnessing" clash of nationalities "in such a scenario yoga brings forward the idea of 'Vasudeo Kutumkamb' (entire world is one family)," the BJP President said.
While Mr Shah left the stadium without answering any questions of the waiting mediapersons, senior Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, donning track-pants and t-shirt, made a scathing attack at JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav and RJD chief Lalu Prasad for mocking yoga celebrations held today.
"Citizens of Bihar will not spare persons who dubbed Yoga diwas as 'Bhog divas'," he said hitting out at Sharad Yadav and Lalu Prasad for reportedly making such a comment.
A Hajipur report said that Union Food minister Ram Vilas Paswan attired in track-pants and a t-shirt performed various yoga 'asanas' at Achayavat Rai stadium at Hajipur. BJP MLAs Achutanand Singh and Mahendra Baitha also joined Mr Paswan in the special yoga session.
Mr Paswan told reporters yoga was essential for a healthy life.
"No caste or religion should have any problem with yoga which teaches good living," he said.