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Superstar Amitabh Bachchan may have proved a major crowd-puller at the recent public rallies of Mulayam Singh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh, but whether it would translate into votes and provide the much-desired shot in the arm to the Samajwadi Party is a million-dollar question.
"The Samajwadi Party chief's hold at the grassroots level has weakened, therefore he is now trying to play every gimmick that could enhance his support base," a rebellious party leader who has thrown his weight behind the BJP said.
The sight of Amitabh sharing the podium with Samajwadi Party leaders was reminiscent of the early eighties, when the superstar had created a sensation by contesting the Allahabad Lok Sabha seat, which he won with a landslide margin.
Yet, there are subtle differences.
Unlike the 1984 election, when he was had expressed his intention to enter politics, this time Amitabh's agenda seems to be limited to propping up the sliding fortunes of his newfound friend, philosopher and guide.
But, the half-hearted praises showered by Big B on the Samajwadi Party chief and his confidante Amar Singh spoke volumes about his political allegiance.
On one hand he is regarded as a family friend of the Gandhis and on the other he has been literally forced to openly side with Congress party's sworn rival.
Significantly, when the superstar chose to relinquish his Allahabad Lok Sabha seat barely three years after getting elected, he had taken a vow never to have anything whatsoever to do with politics.
Yet, when he appeared on a common platform with Mulayam in three different places in Uttar Pradesh, it was amply clear that Big B was now betrothed to the Samajwadi Party.
What, however, left all and sundry visibly foxed were remarks like reference to Mulayam as 'my father', when there is hardly a five-year age difference between the two.
Even Mulayam found it difficult to hide his embarrassment.
He described Amar Singh as 'my spinal chord' and also made no bones about confessing how the SP whiz kid had stood by him in all times of crisis.
"I am here because of Amar Singh, who is like a brother to me," he added.
It was Amar Singh, the street-smart liaison officer-turned-industrialist-turned politician, who bailed out the superstar after his entertainment company, Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited, went bust.
It is said that when Amitabh's Juhu bungalow was to be auctioned, a document furnished by Amar Singh saved the house from being thrown to public bidding.
As a result, Amitabh is deeply indebted to Amar Singh and Mulayam.
"Why else would he have ignored his vow to have nothing to do with politics, and also agree to share the political platform with someone vehemently opposed to the Congress?" a senior Congressman asked.
"His appearance at the rallies will draw crowds all right, but it is highly debatable whether this euphoria would translate into votes," political analyst Surendra Singh said.
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