Click to play videoBarielly (UP): Samajwadi Party top leadership showed up in full strength in Barielly on Sunday for a poll rally with a dash of celebrity and a dose of the Third Front.
Among those spotted at venue were leaders like Chandrababu Naidu, Bangarappa, Om Prakash Chautala and Natwar Singh.
However, AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa – who was being keenly expected after reports that she would make a speech in Hindi - was conspicuous by her absence. Party officials said Jayalalithaa could not make it to the rally at the last minute.
However, the other two “regular” Jayas of Samajwadi Party – Jaya Bachchan and Jayaprada –turned up in support of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.
The assorted gathering at the rally only confirmed that Mulayam – now a lonely man in UP politics – is finding allies elsewhere.
However, the party mouthpiece Amar Singh had another explanation for the rally lineup. “There is a common element that binds us all - we are Congress victims,” he said.
As for the star attractions, they made a simple point. "I'm a worker and my leader asked me to be here,” said Jaya Bachchan.
The rally wasn’t just about the ongoing Uttar Pradesh elections. It was also about the General Elections. The Samajwadi Party would like to return as the rulers of UP and would surely want to keep the third alternative of having a say in the next government at the Centre open.
However, at the rally everybody stuck to the script.
While listening to the third Jaya from down south speak in Hindi will have to wait for another date, the big question remained: With the south and Bollywood to prop up his chances, will Mulayam escape defeat in these polls?
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