Power Lunch: Hooda’s Lohri Feast Draws Gandhi Siblings and 85+ MPs in Show of Political Strength

As Parliament buzzes with discord, Haryana strongman serves up unity—and authentic kadhi-chawal—at his Delhi residence

NEW DELHI — While political battles raged in Parliament corridors Saturday, a different kind of power play unfolded just kilometers away at 15, Talkatora Road. Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda transformed his annual Lohri lunch into a masterclass of political networking, drawing over 85 parliamentarians—including Congress heavyweights Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi—for an afternoon that blended Haryanvi hospitality with strategic signaling.

The guest list read like a who’s who of Indian politics: from Bollywood royalty Jaya Bachchan to AAP’s Raghav Chadha, from Congress veterans Digvijay Singh and Salman Khurshid to TMC’s Mahua Moitra and NCP’s Praful Patel. The Gandhis didn’t just make a perfunctory appearance—they spent a full hour with the Hooda family, touring food stalls arm-in-arm with the host and his son, MP Deepender Hooda, sampling everything from bajra roti to sarson ka saag.

Social media lit up with images of partisan rivals breaking bread—or rather, sharing thalis—in a rare display of cross-party camaraderie. The optics were unmistakable: while others bickered, Hooda was building bridges.

For Haryana Congress observers, the subtext was even more intriguing. Nearly every Congress MLA from the state attended, alongside former MPs, ministers, and district presidents—a united front that speaks volumes in a state unit notorious for factional warfare.

Strategic Consolidation

The lunch arrives at a critical juncture for Haryana Congress, still reeling from electoral setbacks and internal divisions. Hooda’s ability to convene this gathering—and secure the extended presence of the Gandhi siblings—sends an unambiguous message about where power truly resides within the state unit.

“This wasn’t just a social event; it was a political statement,” observed one attendee who requested anonymity. “When you can get Rahul and Priyanka to spend quality time with your family while your entire state cadre watches, you’re not just a leader—you’re the leader.”

The annual tradition, tied to Lohri and Makar Sankranti, has become Hooda’s signature move—a blend of cultural authenticity and political theater that reinforces his image as Haryana’s pre-eminent Congress figure. By anchoring it in regional tradition while attracting national luminaries, he bridges the local-national divide that often plagues regional satraps.

For rival factions within Haryana Congress, the visuals are sobering. Hooda didn’t just host a lunch; he demonstrated convening power that extends well beyond state boundaries. The presence of leaders from AAP, TMC, NCP, and other parties suggests a political network that could prove invaluable in coalition-building scenarios.

The fact that “serious discussions on contemporary issues” occurred alongside the feast hints at substantive political consultations—likely touching on everything from opposition unity to state-level strategy. In Indian politics, where the personal is invariably political, spending an hour with the Gandhi family isn’t just hospitality; it’s endorsement.

As Parliament’s winter session grinds toward conclusion, Hooda has reminded friend and foe alike that sometimes the most effective politics happens not on the floor of the House, but around a table laden with home-cooked Haryanvi fare.