Day on,JP feels withdrawal symptoms but ‘happy’ to relax

Waking up “as usual” at 5.45 am,Aggarwal went for his morning walk and,after a quick breakfast,rushed to the Parliament House where,after exactly two weeks,he got back to his files. The chairman of the Rajya Sabha House Committee admits he had to ignore work for a while to focus on canvassing.

Thereafter,he spent nearly the entire day meeting party workers and supporters,anxiously awaiting news on “how the elections went yesterday”. “I read all the newspapers today to get a comprehensive picture of the polls yesterday,” he said. “My party workers have also been updating me — they fed me with exact figures and data of elections not only in my constituency but also of the other six seats.”

Aggarwal said he is curious to “compare” his work and campaigning with those of his Congress counterparts in other constituencies as also his opponents and is,therefore,taking stock of what the others have done so far.

Though “missing” the padyatras and public meetings that had become part of his daily schedule for over the past two weeks,what he enjoyed most today was the rest he managed at home. “We had to work for nearly 18 hours a day during the campaigning before the elections. I enjoyed interacting with the people and today I feel a sudden void as I do not have to go out for canvassing or meet people any more.”

“But I am happy that I can relax at home — after a long,long time.”

Like any candidate counting days till the counting day — May 16 – Aggarwal said the “feedback received” so far has been “positive”. “I am 100 per cent certain of winning the election.”

The countdown has begun — it’s exactly eight days to know.