Mulayam expresses gratitude to Azam Khan for birthday extravaganza

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Saturday expressed gratitude to his close aide and senior Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan for his exuberant 75th birthday celebrations.

"Azam ji organized such a grand function that I can never forget it. This is a huge burden on me. The faith you have shown in me, I will never breach this trust," Yadav said at a rally here.

His son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also credited Azam Khan for the 'historic' celebrations.

"Such a historic birthday celebration must not have been seen ever and Azam Khan ji made it possible. We saw crackers burning here and some people burning on T.V.," he added.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, who arrived here today for his birthday celebrations along with his son Akhilesh Yadav and the entire top brigade of the SP, said the entire nation was watching Rampur today.

"The entire government and leadership is here. It is a historical day, and for me it's a historical day of my career. The entire nation is watching Rampur today," said Yadav.

He also promised to pay more attention to poor farmers and to ensure employment for the youth.

Dazzling arrangements have been made for Mulayam's grand birthday on Saturday, which has irked other political parties that have slammed him for extravaganza amid deteriorating law and order condition.

On Friday, the SP supremo went around town in a royal imported Victorian buggy greeting his supporters. His party has planned a two-day birthday bash.