Kathmandu, March 14:

Given the mood and inclination demonstrated by the leaders of the leading political parties, it appears that they took time off from active politics today to celebrate the time-honoured festival of colours, Holi.

Leading the pack was Nepali Congress (Democratic) president and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

He happened to be the only leader who obliged the reporters who had rushed to his Budhanilkantha home to have a glimpse of what he preferred to do on Holi.

“I urge all to refrain from playing ragat ko holi (playing with blood). Let us take the opportunity to establish peace and stability,” Deuba told reporters and revellers who had assembled at his residence.

Present were party leaders and activists from his home district of Dadeldhura with political activism taking back seat today.

Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala blessed his close family members and symphathisers who had flocked to his Maharajgunj residence by putting tika on their forehead.

CPN-UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari said, “I had a feast with family members. We played with abir (vermillion) and enjoyed the colours.”

However, the festival of colours failed to enthuse Nepal Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (NWPP) leader Narayan Man Bijukche. “I never celebrate Holi. I do not like it. I consider it as the remnant of the feudal culture,” Bijukche said, adding, “I spent the time rearranging and dusting off my collection of books.”

Being Holi and a public holiday, Kathmandu streets today bore a deserted look with the exception of revellers having the entire road to themselves and taking hot pot shot at every one who appeared within their reach with balloons filled with colourful water and colour.