Stage set for SP's mega silver jubilee event tomorrow

The ruling Samajwadi Party is all geared up for the party's mega silver jubilee celebrations tomorrow with JD(U), RJD, RLD leaders set to share 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 today.
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, RLD Cheif Ajit Singh, JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Chautala, KC Tyagi (JD-U) and noted lawyer Ram Jethmalani are some of the prominent names to attend the event.

"With the event, SP will be formally launching its election campaign from tomorrow," Shivpal said, adding that its main objective was not to let BJP form government in Uttar Pradesh.
In a press conference yesterday, the SP state unit chief had said, "After forming majority government in UP in 2017, all secular forces will unite to uproot the BJP government at the Centre."
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 yesterday. 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 tomorrow. 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.
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The SP state chief said that he also met with party supremo Mulayam Singh at his residence for the success of the event.
Shivpal has also asked the district administration and police to ensure that expelled party leaders are not allowed inside the venue of the event.
The SP leader was reportedly peeved by the presence of expelled leaders including MLCs Santosh Yadav Sunny, Sunil Yadav Sajan, Anand Bhadauria and others at Akhilesh's rath yatra yesterday.
Though there is no official word from the party or administration on the matter, party sources said that Shivpal was strongly batting for restricting the expelled leaders at tomorrow's event.