House-warming in time of poll

In the Assembly poll manifesto, Singh, who then headed the state BJP unit, promised a cow to each tribal family. While that may take awhile, that didn’t deter the Chief Minister from making the animal part of the rituals today as well.

To be doubly sure that his prayers are heard by the Almighty, Singh also welcomed Guru Granth Sahib in the house for special prayers. His ministers and party’s state unit chief Nand Kumar Sai were by his side throughout the day. Singh arrived at 11.30 am sharp, along with his wife. With rose-petals raining on him, he worshipped a cow and a calf before donating it to a Brahmin.

Later, there was food for over 4,000 people — belonging to Singh’s constituency of Dongargaon. City’s best caterers had been booked to prepare food for a motley group, ranging from sarpanches and BJP workers to Singh’s Cabinet colleagues. Everyone carried a personal invitation card from the CM, which the security were asked to check and record.

Meanwhile, a group of party workers was busy putting up posters, highlighting government schemes, on the bungalow’s walls.