Mulayam Singh Yadav congratulated in Parliament's joint session for grand nephew's wedding

NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav was the centre of attraction in the Central Hall of Parliament today where President Pranab Mukherjee addressed a joint sitting of the two Houses.

Leaders cutting across party lines queued up to congratulate Yadav for the February 26 marriage of grand nephew Tej Pratap Yadav with Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad's youngest daughter Raj Laxmi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the prominent persons who attended the celebrations in Saifai in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.

Yadav's arch rival in UP and BJP MP from Gorakhpur Yogi Adityanath was among those who wished the SP chief in Parliament.

During the President's address, several members were seen thumping the desks when reference was made to the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna, Swachh Bharat Mission, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana and other such issues.

HRD Minister Smriti Irani and BJP member Kirron Kher were seen thumping the desk when the President referred to the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' scheme initiated recently for the welfare of the girl child.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who has taken leave for a few weeks to "reflect" upon recent events and the future of the party, was conspicuous by his absence.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi was seated next to BJP veteran L K Advani and former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda.

At least 25 members, who came after the arrival of the President, were accommodated in chairs lined up at the far end of the historical hall. These included Congress member Abhishek Manu Singhvi, BJP's Varun Gandhi and some members of the AIADMK.

After the President's address, Vice President Hamid Ansari read out in Hindi the first and last part of the speech delivered in English.

Soon after the national anthem was played out, several members raised slogans like 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', a practice BJP MPs have been following in Parliament.