Saifai: The native village of Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh’s Saifai is being decked up for the pre-wedding ceremony of his grand-nephew Tej Pratap Yadav. Tej Pratap is marrying Raj Lakshmi, the daughter of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad.
Both the Yadavs have already reached Saifai where the ’tilak’ ceremony will be held today.
“Everyone is talking about this match. Mulayam Singhji didn’t ask for even one paisa from us – when hearts meet, money has no place,” said an elated Lalu Prasad.
The most talked after invitee is Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is expected to reach Saifai at around 10 am on Saturday. Both Mulayam and Lalu have been bitter critics of Mr Modi and had even launched an agitation against his government in December, but defending the invitation the groom Tej Pratap Yadav said, “We are happy and honoured to have the PM as our guest but we oppose his ideology.”
Other political invitees expected to reach Saifai are Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Janata Dal (Secular) chief and former Prime Minister Deve Gowda and Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik.
Top police officials, including the DGP of the state, are in Saifai to look after the elaborate security arrangements. All Samajwadi Party ministers too are camping in the city to receive the guests.
While the population of Saifai is barely 15,000, over 1.5 lakh people have been invited to attend the opulent pre-wedding bash.
Without elaborating on the cost, Tej Pratap said, “Too much money has not been spent.” When asked about allegations of betraying their ideologue Ram Manohar Lohia’s socialist ideology by these extravagant celebrations, he added, “Those days are gone when people could go around the constituency on a cycle”.
The dinner on Friday night was an all-vegetarian fare by an Agra caterer where the groom was spotted enjoying a round of gol gappas. The groom’s uncle and PWD minister Shivpal Yadav said that no household will cook food in their kitchen tomorrow as everyone is invited.
