Lucknow has been painted blue for its biggest ever political rally, as the Bahujan Samaj Party celebrated 25 years on Monday. It is also the birth anniversary of its founder and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's mentor - Kanshi Ram.
In an encore on Wednesday, Mayawati's party has gifted her a second necklace made of money. This one is worth 18 lakhs, say her workers.
Already known for her lavish self-promotion, Mayawati has raised her bar to a whole new level. There she was, at a gigantic public rally in Lucknow, accepting a garland made of thousands of thousand-rupee notes.
Not everything went off smoothly though. A swarm of bees hovered above her as she gave her speech, which Mayawati believes were part of a political conspiracy.
Lucknow was painted blue for its biggest ever political rally, as the Bahujan Samaj Party celebrated 25 years on Monday. It is also the birth anniversary of its founder and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's mentor - Kanshi Ram.
Mayawati accepted a garland made of thousands of thousand-rupee notes. The net worth of just that garland a staggering few lakhs, according to her own representatives. (NDTV photo)
The 'BSP blue' filled every nook and corner of the city, lighting up buildings, memorials, parks and statues. (NDTV photo)
Hoardings and huge cutouts of Uttar Pradesh Chief minister Mayawati and other Dalit icons were put up at all important junctions in the state capital. A mini township built by BSP workers for rallyists burst at the seams. Mayawati played the perfect host with elaborate food and lodging arrangements for guest cadres.(NDTV photo)
An exhibition highlighting the developmental activities initiated by the Mayawati government and its achievements was set up near the rally venue. Unprecedented security arrangements were also made at railway stations and bus stops across the city. (NDTV photo)
Mayawati's portrait were emblazoned on freshly painted hoardings and announcements about the rally were seen across the city.(NDTV photo)
All stops were pulled to ensure the turnout is huge and smooth; over 5 lakh people attended the Lucknow rally. Two special trains were dedicated to bring workers to and fro from Lucknow.(NDTV photo)
The Opposition claimed over Rs 200 crore of the Uttar Pradesh Government's money was spent on the 'mega rally'. Ten thousand police personnel were deployed, with 14 CCTVs at the rally ground.(NDTV photo)
In case of any eventuality, a 30-bed hospital with 200 doctors and 500 paramedics was on standby. Also, lodging and dining arrangements were in place for 10 lakh people.(NDTV photo)
For the decorations, a thousand quintals of flowers were brought in from various parts of the country including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Uttaranchal, Bangalore and Kolkata. (NDTV photo)
Apart from the state's 1600 government buses and 5000 private buses, 10 lakh LED lights were used to dress the city in blue - the BSP's colour.(NDTV photo)
