Stage is set for mega silver jubilee celebrations of the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh with ‘third front’ leaders gearing up to attend the event.
According to reports, former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, RLD chief Ajit Singh, JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Chautala, KC Tyagi of JD(U) and noted lawyer Ram Jethmalani are some of the prominent names who will be sharing the stage with Uttar Pradesh's first family.
“The preparations for the historic event have been made. Samajwadi and Lohiawadi leaders will be sharing the stage with 'netaji' (Mulayam Singh Yadav),” SP state president Shivpal Yadav told reporters at party office here on Friday.
"With the event, SP will be formally launching its election campaign from tomorrow," he added.
The main objective, he said, was not to let BJP form government in Uttar Pradesh.
"After forming majority government in UP in 2017, all secular forces will unite to uproot the BJP government at the Centre," he said.
In a bid to portray a united front ahead of the 2017 state Assembly elections, the feuding first family had come together to flag off Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's 'rath yatra' here. Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal, with whom the Chief Minister was locked in a bitter power struggle, extended him "best wishes".
Meanwhile, Shivpal said that the entire route from SP headquarter to Janeshwar Mishra park, the venue for the silver jubilee celebrations, is dotted with hoardings and banners welcoming workers for the event.
"We are expecting a huge crowd. The workers have already started coming to the state capital. We are expecting over 5 lakh people. The event will also pass a strong message for BJP and rival parties," convenor of the event and Cabinet minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati said.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made by police to ensure security of VVIP guests and party workers.
"Besides a DIG level officer, there would be five Superintendents of Police (SP), 24 ASPs, 39 Circle Officers and a considerable number of PAC personnel as part of the security cover for the event," IG, Lucknow Zone, A Satish Ganesh said.
Uttar Pradesh will go to Assembly polls early next year.
With PTI Inputs
