Mulayam under 'house arrest' for Maya birthday

BIRTHDAY GIRL: The whole of Lucknow was literally painted in blue for Mayawati's 52nd birthday.

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Keywords: House Arrest, Mulayam, Uttar Pradesh, BSP

New Delhi: As UP Chief Minister Mayawati celebrated her 52nd birthday on Tuesday with almost the entire state capital literally painted in blue, Mulayam Singh Yadav alleged that he and his party leaders were kept under house arrest at the behest of CM.

Yadav said the police erected a barricade around his residence and party office since early morning and banned any entry or exit without giving any reason for this. "At least, we should have been intimated of our fault," he fumed.

The action from the state administration came to pre-empt the possibility of any demonstration or potest from the SP workers on the occasion of the CM's birthday.

Police also arrested several SP men who, as a mock exercise, were collecting 'alms' on the street to send it to Mayawati.

There were reports of minor clashes between protesting SP activists and the police as the Opposition party protested against the 'extravagance' displayed by the CM at the cost of public money as she kicked off a high-decibel birthday celebration decorating her residence with flowers and lighting and erecting arches and gates across the state capital.

Hoardings were also put up at all important intersections.

Taking a dig at Mayawati who asked party workers to celebrate the day by making financial contributions to the party, SP Lucknow unit president Nasiruddin said the money collected through 'begging' by his party members would be sent to the Chief Minister.

Mayawati, however, claimed everything were the receipts from the Public Works and Electricity departments and that her party had paid for the arrangements made on this occasion.

The BSP chief charged the Opposition parties and a section of the media with indulging in 'disinformation campaign' and claimed that even the cake was paid for by her close aide SC Mishra.

Mayawati also claimed that her birthday was being celebrated in the entire country by the party workers.

The CM said Congress president Sonia Gandhi phoned her in the morning to wish her and that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was currently visiting China, also spoke to her and thanked both the leaders.