Star absent, SP rally doesn’t cut ice in Rajasthan

But then, at the SP rally, it was self-appointed Rajput leader and party general secretary Amar Singh and Bollywood mascot Raj Babbar who were going to address the people. The crowd of a few thousands, that had gathered at Gandhi Grounds at high noon, knew what it was here for — to catch a glimpse of the ageing B-grade star. The crowd’s excitement on spotting the helicopter ferrying the two leaders was short-lived.

And as they waited for Babbar to garland the token statue of Mahatma Gandhi (even a cycle, the SP symbol, was propped up awkwardly on the mantle) after Amar Singh, the bustle gave way to disappointment. In a few minutes, the entire maidan knew Babbar had not come.

‘‘I have nothing to say to those who have come to see a movie star,’’ chided Singh, ‘‘but I certainly have a lot to say to those youths who look for development, roti, kapda aur makaan.’’ But the boos indicated that it was not enough.

The SP’s presence here is marginal — in 1998, it contested 34 seats and forfeited deposits in all of them. Now, the party could perhaps play a damaging role for the Congress, its ally in UP.