In the name of Ram!

NEW DELHI - The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may have admittedly launched its manifesto on the birth anniversary of Hindu god Ram, but there is hardly any party in India that does not try to score brownie points in the name of religion.

On the festival of Ram Navami, senior Congress leader and minister Kapil Sibal had a vermilion mark on his forehead. It was there when he addressed the media at 4 p.m. at the Congress headquarters in 24 Akbar Road, and it was still prominent when he was seen at a television studio at night.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan - all chose Ram Navami as the day to announced their alliance in Lucknow. Lalu Prasad in fact said in his speech that it was an auspicious occasion.