FORMER Blackburn mayor Salim Mulla has visited the owners of Blackburn Rovers at their Indian home.

Cllr Mulla attended a party hosted by the Venky’s at Venkatesh Farm in Pune, where he said approximately half a million pounds had been spent on the lavish affair.

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He said: “There was a fantastic array of food, including grilled lobster, grilled prawns, grilled fish and meat, there must have been 50 or 60 types of food there.

“People had unlimited access to alcohol, there was a massive bar serving all kinds of drinks.

“Believe me it was some party.”

Cllr Mulla, who met the Venky’s when the Queen visited Ewood Park last year, said the impressive property was guarded with heavy security, and the party was attended by more than 500 people, with a whole host of Indian bigwigs in attendance, including Bollywood actors and directors, and wealthy businesspeople.

He said when he met the football club owners he expressed a wish to visit them in India, and they honoured his request by inviting him to the New Year bash – even offering to book him a nearby hotel room.

At the party, Cllr Mulla said he expressed to the Venky’s how important the football club is to people in Blackburn and Darwen.

He said: “I spoke to Ventakesh and Balaji about the importance of Blackburn Rovers to the people of Blackburn and how passionate they are about the football team, and how much they care – how they save up their money during the week to be able to be there to support their local team.

“I also told them how Blackburn Rovers is important to the town, and to the local authority, how there is a very, very good relationship between the local authority and Blackburn Rovers.

“I said I hope they continue to support the team, don’t discard the team, and invest in the team. I also asked them to support some of Rovers’ community causes.”

“That’s the message that I gave to them.”

Coun Mulla said the brothers were receptive to his views.

He said: “They listened to me and my sentiments and feelings, and I think that they know how much Blackburn Rovers means to the people of the Borough.”