Vijay Mallya: his chairman’s death can’t spoil his party

Vice President Krishan Kant’s death had the Government declaring a three-day national mourning but liquor baron Vijay Mallya, a member ...

Vice President Krishan Kant’s death had the Government declaring a three-day national mourning but liquor baron Vijay Mallya, a member of the Rajya Sabha chaired by Kant, decided his party, attended by models and the city chatterati, was ‘‘too private’’ an affair to be cancelled.

Ignite the Nite, the theme for the UB Group’s Kingfisher Fashion Awards was held at the Durbar Hall of the Taj Palace this evening. In the invitations to the party, Mallya identifies himself as a Rajya Sabha MP.

Given this, wasn’t the timing inappropriate? Mallya said: ‘‘It’s not a celebration. It’s just an awards function to recognise talent and excellence. The food and drinks (prawn and champagne) are incidental. We will observe silence during the course of the ceremony.’’

Story continues below this ad

Rubbing shoulders with models Malaika Arora, Dino Morea, Bipasha Basu and Rahul Dev were danseuse Shovana Narayan, Congress MP Satish Sharma and wife Sterre, French ambassador Bernard de Montferrand, designers Tarun Tahiliani and Ritu Kumar and media top guns. Welcoming the guests were hosts Mallya and wife Rekha.

Congress MP Satish Sharma’s explanation: ‘‘I did call up Vijay to check whether the party was still on, especially when he has just become a member of the Rajya Sabha. He told me it’s a private affair and an awards ceremony.’’