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The Great Indian Political Wedding

The "Tilak" (pre-wedding ceremony) of Tej Pratap Yadav , grand-nephew of Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Raj Laxmi, the youngest daughter of former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad was indeed a sight of political camaraderie and fanfare. The ceremony in pictures...

Veteran Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and Mulayam Singh Yadav at the ceremony. The function was a star-studded affair with many political leaders cutting across party lines attending the event. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RJD chief Lalu Prasad at the tilak ceremony. Mulayam Singh yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Narendra Modi, otherwise arch rivals, forgot their political differences and displayed a rare comradrie when they smiled, shook hands, chatted and walked together to the grand stage erected for the ceremony. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Grand preparations had been made for the pre-wedding ceremony. About 550 “superior quality” Swiss cottages inside a stadium, besides 250 “ordinary” cottages for 15,00 people on a college ground were put in place. Food of ‘unmatched’ variety were prepared for 1.25 lakh people. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh with UP Minister for PWD and younger brother of Mulayam Singh Yadav at the ceremony. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav for the ceremony. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Modi sharing a light moment with Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav. UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is also in the picture. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Modi flanked by Lalu Prasad and Mulayam Singh Yadav at the ceremony. Mr. Modi’s presence at the pre-wedding ceremony is being seen as his attempt to reach out to the Opposition, especially the SP which is leading the unification attempt of the ’Janata Parivar’, ahead of the Budget session where the BJP government needs numbers in the Rajya Sabha to pass crucial Bills. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Akhilesh Yadav, Ramgopal Yadav, and other Samajwadi Party leaders welcome Lalu Prasad Yadav and other guests in Saifai on Friday for the ceremony.

The groom, Tej Pratap Singh Yadav, with other relatives a day before his Tilak ceremony in Saifai.