I thee wed: Kumar Gaurav and Kamlesh Singh’s daughter Manisha after tying the knot on Monday. Pix: Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Dec. 1: Extravagance, exuberance and elegance defined the grand evening where two influential political families strengthened their bonds.

But one cannot miss out careful execution for the lavish party.

Heavy vehicles were diverted through the army cantonment at Dipatoli towards Tatisilwai to keep traffic heading towards the city clear.

But life came to a complete standstill on National Highway-33 for over two hours, as artistes from Mumbai headed to Manisha’s wedding, the daughter of state excise, water resources and public distribution system minister Kamlesh Kumar Singh at the Ranchi Gymkhana Club. And the groom was Kumar Gaurav, son of INTUC leader Rajendra Prasad Singh.

Thirty policemen were deployed on NH-33 — Booty More to Ranchi Gymkhana Club — to ensure smooth flow of traffic. Though instructions for diversion of heavy vehicles from Dipatoli towards Tatisilwai were issued by the SP (traffic) Dadanjee Sharma, those on duty failed to control smaller vehicles that well crossed the 1,000-mark.

Small car drivers were seen abandoning their vehicles on the middle of the road to pace up to the wedding venue and catch a glimpse of the high profile guests. The end result was a long queue — all clamouring to make their way to the Gymkhana Club.

The minister ensured traffic was taken care of, but probably did not concentrate much on the food. Guests found the menu quite simple comprising the usual vegetarian and non-vegetarian spread.

Fireworks, however, were the showstoppers of the evening. And kept the guests excited for a long time.

The stage, the décor of which resembled the Jaipur Sheesh Mahal with glass plates had a modern touch to it as well. LCD televisions were put all around it as a popular singer from Bollywood entertained the guests. A dance troupe was also called in and some guests took the stage to showcase their dancing talent.

Bhojpuri singer Manoj Tiwary, who was one of the VIP guests, was joined by NCP leader Tariq Anwar, chief minister Shibu Soren and his cabinet ministers and Ranchi MP and Union minister Subodh Kant Sahay.

The terror attack on Mumbai kept several ministers from Maharashtra away from the high profile wedding.

The guest list also included political bigwigs like Union energy minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Congress MP from Mumbai Sanjay Nirupam and others.

The dome-shaped mandap, which was softly lit and decorated with flowers, was the centre of attraction at the venue. Guests entered the lawn through a narrow tunnel, which opened into a grand durbar, where the bride and the groom tied the knot.

Organisers had also employed various technicians to shoot the big fat political wedding!