Leaders across the political spectrum lent glamour to Holi celebrations in Odisha on Tuesday.

With the stage set for a triangular battle in the impending elections following the collapse of Biju Janata Dal (BJD)-BJP alliance talks, leaders of all three parties celebrated the festival of colours with their supporters, trying to build a rapport that might convert into votes on the polling day.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik and governor Raghubar Das extended their best wishes to all on Holi which was celebrated in Odisha on Tuesday.

Leaders of different political parties organised Holi Milan gatherings at their residences with Congress veteran Suresh Kumar Routray taking the lead. His supporters turned up in large numbers at his Old Town residence and applied colours to him. The gathering was marked by great bonhomie which the leaders described as people’s blessings for him and his party which was certain to do well in the ensuing polls.

BJP supporters gathered at the party office to celebrate the festival of colours. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan played Holi with his supporters at Sambalpur from where he would contest the Lok Sabha poll. The mood was boisterous following the breakdown of alliance talks with the BJD.

The party, which has decided to go it alone, has also announced its candidates for 18 Lok Sabha seats. “We are happy that our leaders have respected our sentiments and decided to contest the polls on the party’s own strength. That is why we are celebrating today. We will celebrate the Maha Holi on June 4th when the election results are out,” said BJP leader Dilip Kumar Mohanty.

Similar sentiments were also expressed by BJD workers who turned up at the residences of their leaders and even at the party office to celebrate.