Samajwadi Party defends Mulayam's birthday celebrations

The Samajwadi Party on Friday hit back at the opposition parties for politicizing the birthday celebrations of party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, saying it only reveals their frustration because they do not enjoy the confidence and support of the common man the way he does.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said Mulayam is the tallest and most popular leader of the country.

"And the party, the workers and the general population of UP is celebrating the struggle of Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav fighting for social causes, fighting for student rights, fighting for the downtrodden, the farmers, the labourers. And the struggle shows that through determination, you can overcome all hurdles. This is the real message behind the celebration," said Bhatia.

"And the opposition parties are free to say whatever they want, it only reveals their frustration because they do not enjoy the confidence and support of the common man the way Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav does," he added.

Bhatia further said the Samajwadi Party is capable enough to generate and have a celebration on the occasion of Mulayam's birthday.

"There is a larger message that should not be ignored," he added while silencing all critics.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Sudhindra Bhadoria had earlier in the day lashed out at Mulayam and the Samajwadi Party for the grand celebration of his birthday at a time when the state is groaning under several issues.

"The farmers of Uttar Pradesh, especially of Bundelkhand, are committing suicide. There were over 200 communal riots in the state and thousands of people were killed and several cases of rape against women and girls have come up," Bhadoria said.

"What is this celebration all about? What does he (Mulayam Singh Yadav) have to say on this?" he asked.

Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Laxmikant Bajpai echoing similar sentiments on the issue said it is sad to see that the principles of the Samajwadi Party have deteriorated.

"Those who severely criticize Narendra Modi all the time should see that he spent his birthday among the flood victims of Kashmir and spent the day with soldiers guarding the border in the valley, but Yadav is celebrating his birthday in Rampur," Bajpai told the media in Lucknow.

Meanwhile, adequate security arrangements have been put in place in Rampur where Mulayam would be celebrating his 75h birthday.

Rampur's Superintendent of Police Sadhna Goswami said one company of police personnel has been deployed in the city for surveillance and to manage traffic.

"We have deployed two Additional Superintendents of Police in the entire route and six chief officers and we have also made the other required arrangements so that people do not face any mismanagement on the route," said Goswami.

The Superintendent of Police further said proper arrangements have been made for the VIPs.

"The traffic will be managed specially for their transportation. Nobody will face any problem as we have made all arrangements," added Goswami.

According to reports, the grand celebration for Mulayam's birthday in Rampur includes a 75-feet-long cake and a Victorian 'buggy' hired from London. The Samajwadi Party chief will lay the foundation stone of a medical college on his birthday, besides addressing a public meeting.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party top brass will be in Rampur for the celebrations.