SAIFAI: A huge crowd of people gathered at the native place of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav to pay respect to him before the last rites.
Though no estimates were provided by officials, over one lakh individuals seem to have offered their tributes to Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Shyam Lal, a teacher posted in Chibramau, Kannauj is one such who arrived in a taxi along with three other colleagues on Tuesday noon to attend the last rites.
"It is because of him that the Etawah - Mainpuri - Kannauj belt has prospered in Uttar Pradesh,” said Shyam Lal.
The tallest leader from the region, Mulayam’s legacy will continue to live on in Saifai.
With a population of under 7,500 individuals as per 2011 census, the small town of Saifai in Etawah district offers facilities rarely seen in other parts of the state.
Home to an airstrip suitable for landing of Airbus 320 and Boeing 747, Saifai has a university for medical sciences, international cricket and sports stadium apart from wide roads connecting the town to the neighbouring localities.
The market in the birthplace of Mulayam Singh Yadav was shut on Tuesday and women could be seen weeping at their doorstep.
Among the notable political leaders who visited the pandal were former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Chandra Babu Naidu and both the deputy chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak.
Several other political figures were expected to attend the last rites scheduled later on Tuesday afternoon.
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