Candidates of various political parties played with colours to celebrate Holi on Monday while also trying to use the festivities to woo voters in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.

Candidates played Holi with voters and party workers. Many walked with people in rallies as an outreach endeavour.

Political flags were conspicuous by their absence on Monday and the colours of different political parties and their supporters mingled in harmony — a rare break from the heated atmosphere of the election season.

Trinamul’s Krishnanagar nominee Mahua Moitra was probably the sole exception. She enjoys the Holi festivities but is allergic to abir, she told The Telegraph.

“I never play with colours as I am allergic to colour. But it is a great event for me to enjoy," she said adding that campaigning had been kept suspended for the day due to Holi celebrations in the constituency.

In Nadia, BJP’s Ranaghat candidate Jagannath Sarkar arrived at the Santipur horticultural grounds early in the morning to join the massive Holi celebration traditionally held there for years.

A large number of people gathered there at a community Holi celebration. The sitting BJP MP interacted with people while celebrating the event without speaking politics. “It is just like a reunion. I attend the event every year and it was no exception this year. The event helped me reach out to many people together although I did not utter anything about politics," said the BJP leader

His rival CPM candidate Alokesh Das also attended the same event in Santipur. Das was welcomed by a large number of party supporters who smeared red abir on him.

“Any social event is always a big opportunity for the political leaders. But Holi is something different as this day is the appearance day of Mahaprabhuu Chaitanyadev, who taught us harmony. So as usual I avoided politics today and celebrated the great occasion with people," Das, who later visited Nabadwip town to join another Holi celebration, said.

In Hanshkhali, Trinamul nominee Mukut Mani Adhikari played Holi on his home turf with party supporters and local people. “There may be political differences among many people, but I always try to keep politics aside on this day of Holi," Adhikari said.

In Barrackpore, Trinamul candidate Partha Bhowmick celebrated Holi with party supporters and residents beating a dhol (a large traditional drum). He also led a rally in Naihati organised on the occasion of Holi.

His rival, BJP candidate Arjun Singh visited the Baro Maa Kali temple in Naihati town of North 24-Parganas and offered prayers to launch his poll campaign on Monday. Singh later played Holi with party workers and supporters in his hometown Bhatpara. “Dol (Holi) has always been a special occasion for me to meet people, although I always keep in touch with people and share their joys and sorrows," Singh said.

CPM’s Jadavpur Lok Sabha candidate Srijan Bhattacharyya was also seen celebrating Holi in the Baghajatin area of the constituency and greeting people.

In Kolkata North, BJP candidate Tapas Roy was also seen celebrating Holi and interacting with people from all walks of life.

In Bishnupur, BJP candidate Saumitra Khan was seen celebrating Holi by riding a motorcycle with his wife Paromita on the pillion. The couple roamed across the town, celebrated the day with colours and met with people as well as party supporters.

Khan also visited the local market early in the morning, where he met with traders and local people and exchanged pleasantries.