'Uttam Pradesh' campaign: Mulayam govt spent Rs 2.31 crore

Lucknow, July 6 (UNI) The previous Mulayam Singh Yadav government had spent over Rs 2.31 crore for the 'Uttam Pradesh' campaign, starring Amitabh Bachchan. However, the star of the millenium was not paid any money, Chief Minister Mayawati informed the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly today.

In a written reply to a question by Congress member Anugrah Narain Singh, the Chief Minister said while in the year 2005-06 the government had spent Rs 90,000, in the year 2006-07 Rs 2,31,06,351 was paid to news channels and newspapers to run the high profile campaign.

She, however, clarified that no television artiste was paid any amount for the campaign.

The TV and print campaign, launched well before the just-concluded assembly elections, is remembered for its punchline by Mr Bachchan: ''UP mein hai dum, kyonki apradh yahan hai kum...'' (UP is known for its low crime rate).

In one of the campaign series, Big B had wished to be born again on the banks of river Ganga.

UNI