Faux pas? Mulayam-Kalyan at one election meeting

Jhansi, Mar 30 (UNI) Two arch rivals happened to be present at one election meeting simultaneously here today.

Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh and present incumbent Mulayam Singh Yadav were present at the latter's election meeting at Chirgaon in Babina assembly segment.

As per the sequence of events, when Mr Yadav was addressing the gathering, a Pawanhans helicopter carrying Mr Singh landed near the ground this afternoon.

It was later learnt that while the CM's election meeting was to conclude around 1400 hrs, the BJP national vice-president was to address another meeting at the nearby Mandi Parishad from 1530 hrs.

The district administration had given permission to both the leaders to use the same helipad, since there was sufficient timelag between the two public meetings.

The faux pas apparently occurred when Mr Singh arrived much before time. There was no BJP leader to welcome him, the BJP's CM designate.

However, the Samajwadi Party supremo Mr Yadav cut short his speech and went to Mr Singh to exchange pleasantries.

Later, police arrived at the spot and escorted the senior BJP leader to the Mandi Parishad election meeting spot.

UNI