Holi celebrations this year took on a political hue as leaders across parties combined festive greetings with pointed attacks on their opponents. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi conveyed wishes of love and harmony while celebrating with party workers at the AICC office. AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Arvind Kejriwal, termed it a “special Holi” for the party but criticised the BJP government over the decision to keep liquor shops open in Delhi. Kejriwal alleged that the move went against tradition, while Sisodia said Holi should be about colours and joy, not alcohol. Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib also targeted the Centre, stating that the party had staged a peaceful protest at the AI summit against the proposed US-India trade deal, which he claimed could adversely affect farmers and their land. In Tamil Nadu, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan accused the DMK government of undermining Tamil culture, asserting that the state’s traditions embrace people from all regions and should not be politicised.