State headquarters of BJP, Congress wear deserted look a day after polling
Saturday was a day of ‘chutti’ (rest) for leaders and workers of both Congress and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).
With the results of the Rajasthan elections due on Tuesday, offices of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Pradesh Congress Committee here wore a deserted look, which until yesterday were abuzz with election activities.
Except for a handful of party workers and a couple of leaders, the offices were almost empty. And those who were present at these offices were only engaged in guessing games and gossiping about the results.
In state BJP office around 1pm, the lawns were not even partially filled. While some workers wore silence fearing the outcome of polls, some seemed to be tired.
Foreseeing the results, a BJP worker sitting in party lawns asked his colleague, how much seats we are getting? The response of colleague was, ‘Muskuraiye aap vipaksh mein hai,” (Smile, you are now in opposition).
Vice-president of state BJP, Gyan Dev Ahuja came to the BJP office around 1:15p,m sat in one of the offices and interacted with party workers for 15-20 minutes. When one of the worker asked him, ‘bhaisahab Mangalwar se apna kya hoga’ (what will happen to us after Tuesday?), Ahuja
JAIPUR: We do not know what will happen after the vote count. We have kept crackers, sweets and garlands ready, but we don’t want to reveal it. We will wait till the trends are out by Tuesday afternoon
replied, “Sarkar kisiki bhi bane par raj apna hi chalega.” (Who so ever wins, we will continue to rule). Around 1:30 he left the party office.
Chief minister Vasundhara Raje reached the party office around 3:30pm to meet general secretary of state BJP (organisations) Chandrashekhar and other senior leaders. When a reporter asked him a question, she said, “No questions, I am on ‘chutti’ (vacations).”
The doors of aviation committee, advertising committee, special election campaign committee and other committee were buzzing with activities till Friday but on Saturday afternoon they were completely ‘silent’.
When a senior party worker A BJP LEADER
who didn’t wanted to be named was asked about the preparation of poll results, he said, “We do not know what will happen after the vote count. We have kept crackers, sweets and garlands ready, but we don’t want to reveal it. We will wait till the trends are out by Tuesday afternoon.’’
The scenario of Congress headquarters was no different. The parking outside the office was mostly empty. While the ground floor was mostly occupied with party workers, the offices on the top floors were empty.
On ground floor, while some party workers seemed excited and jubilant, others seemed nervous about the results. The control room which was a day before occupied with party leaders attending complaints related to polling across state was vacant.
The flashy media room which used to be filled video cameras, journalists and politicians speaking on the top of their voices, was in absolute silence.
Few Congressmen were seen holding discussion with colleagues in a room inside state party office. One of the party worker said, “The election for 200 seats are over but of two has started (who will be the Chief Minister – Ashok Gehlot or Sachin Pilot).”
While a group of 10-12 people sipping tea outside office were discussing the polling percentage at various seats and margin of Pilot’s victory. “The polling percentage went high, our government is forming and this is certain,” said one of the workers.