Power and political divide blurred as the entire political spectrum turned up for the marriage of railway minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s daughter, Chanda, to airline pilot Vikram Yadav at Delhi’s Ashoka hotel on Sunday evening.
It was a typical Lalu show, with guests and admirers, including those brought in from Patna in a special train, thronging the venue and spilling out on to the porch and lawns. Tight security was thrown around the hotel as a stream of VVIPs like President APJ Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi made an appearance. But for many waiting for a chance to get in, it only added to the confusion.
Lalu’s rivals in Bihar -- Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, JD(U) president Sharad Yadav and the LJP’s Ram Vilas Paswan -- and his Cabinet colleague at the Centre, were among the host of dignitaries who left their political differences behind to greet the RJD leader and bless the new couple. There was Arun Jaitley and Babulal Gaur from the BJP to add to the united colours of the celebration as the bride, in a resplendent outfit and the groom, in an off-white sherwani, went through the marriage ceremony to the strains of music and the chant of the pandit’s mantras.
Like most barats, this one too made its entry well behind schedule. But when it did reach, there were no complaints. The venue was a decorator’s delight -- with white jasmine flowers lending a classy touch to the occasion and the railway minister playing a perfect host.
{{/usCountry}}Like most barats, this one too made its entry well behind schedule. But when it did reach, there were no complaints. The venue was a decorator’s delight -- with white jasmine flowers lending a classy touch to the occasion and the railway minister playing a perfect host.
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