Interestingly Amar Singh’s rival in the Samajwadi Party, Azam Khan, who is in news lately for inflammatory and contentious remarks on radicalism and terror, joined the celebrations only towards the end of the event.
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The mega bash to celebrate the 76th birthday of Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in his native Saifai village in Etawah failed to live up to the hype, with Bollywood stars such as Amitabh Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan and political heavyweights such as RJD chief Lalu Prasad and H D Deve Gowda staying away.
Mulayam Singh Yadav’s absence at the ceremony might have raised eyebrows, but his grand birthday celebrations seem more like an extravaganza in itself to showcase the power of the Janata Parivar veteran.
The star attraction of the grand event will be a performance by A.R. Rahman and his troupe. A few guests of the family from outside India are also expected to be present at the birthday celebrations.
As part of “Clean UP, Green UP” campaign, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has planned to sow ten lakh saplings in a day. Scores of Uttar Pradesh ministers and bureaucrats will also attend.
All government accommodation – guest houses, circuit houses and dak bungalows – and major hotels have been booked in neighbouring Mainpuri, Etawah, Firozabad and Agra to host the VVIP visitors.
Even after 50 of the 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh being declared drought-hit, the Samajwadi Party has made arrangements for the lavish birthday celebrations of the party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.
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“With the influx of several VVIPs and celebrities, the Saifai airstrip is being done up and security fortified there and around the venue”, an official said. School children had lined up the path, playing music and bands.
