Modi-Mulayam-Lalu bonhomie sets tongues wagging

It was the rarest of rare occurrences: Three senior politicians—bitter political rivals and usually at daggers drawn—for a change displayed warmth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the pre-wedding ceremony of Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's grandnephew Tej Pratap Yadav and Lalu Prasad's youngest daughter Raj Luxmi at Saifai, Mulayam's native village, on Saturday provided enough grist to political mills to speculate on their bonhomie and a possible future cooperation.

Modi was at his charming best, while the SP leader and his son and UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav played gracious host.

Though the SP chief had invited Modi, few in the party had actually expected the latter to turn up. “Modi could have attended the wedding ceremony in Delhi. Yet, he chose to come all the way to Saifai,” remarked a senior SP leader.

The prime minister was welcomed by Mulayam and Akhilesh at the venue. Mulayam was seen holding Modi's hands for quite sometime as he led him to the stage and introduced his family members.

Modi posed for photographs sitting between arch-rivals Lalu and Mulayam. Lalu too was seen holding Modi's hands.

There was a competition of sorts among the children of the Yadav family to be photographed with Modi. The prime minister did not disappoint. He not only posed for photos but was also seen talking to the kids.

SP leaders were at pains to explain that no political meaning should be drawn from Modi's visit. “We are grateful to the prime minister for accepting our invitation. No political meaning should be derived from it,” said SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav.

Some other SP leaders, however, did not agree. They felt Modi needed the Opposition's support in the Rajya Sabha to ensure smooth passage of bills the BJP government might move in the forthcoming Budget Session of Parliament. “Mulayam's support will come handy for the government in the Rajya Sabha,” said an SP leader.

It remains to be seen if the bonhomie evident at the ceremony is reflected in the House as well.