He sets out to file papers, ends up sending a message

“We wanted to send people a message — of the strength that we have. And that message has been sent. I now will not be able to file my nomination at Jamnagar House because it’s late. But it has become clear to me that we will win this election. And that was the point of this rally. Do not worry, tomorrow I will go and file my nomination alone,” he told an adoring crowd.

Early in the morning, preparations had begun for the “message to be sent”. In a field outside the Valmiki Mandir that has played host to both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kejriwal over the past two years, the Youth Wing of the AAP danced to choreographed steps of the party’s new “Panch saal Kejriwal” tune. Candidates constantly arrived, each accompanied by buses of volunteers from their constituencies. By noon, the crowd, till then scattered, rose as one.

With his volunteers surrounding him, Kejriwal paid his respects at the Valmiki Mandir amidst a swirl of the ubiquitous TV cameras. Ten minutes later, he told the crowd that their numbers had filled him with hope. The route ahead of him was meticulously planned, 14 points for volunteers to join the road show were carefully marked out. Each group held placards of a different poll promise. One held boards promising subsidised electricity, while another much younger group held boards proclaiming free WiFi.

Two hours later, Kejriwal spoke again, this time to ask the people to disperse. “The police has told us that we have permission till now and it has become too late to file my nomination. We must respect their wishes. So all of you must leave for your constituencies and we will end this rally here. There is a lot of work ahead of us,” he said with the Sacred Heart Cathedral in the background.

Party spokespersons through the day thereafter, spoke of the crowds that had prevented Kejriwal from completing the rally. But at Jantar Mantar and Jamnagar House, groups in white caps waited for an entourage that never came.