Dye-hard Modi fans add colour to show

Leading the pack was Hemendra Trivedi, a 42-year-old who identified himself as a GIDC worker and businessman. He wanted to be very different, so he painted his moustache in saffron. The oil paint gave him an identity so distinct that he stood apart from those who had painted only their shoes in saffron.

‘‘The colour is fast and won’t go. I will remove the moustache instead,’’ he said beaming with pride. Like him the others in the group also made a beenline to take a look at BJP MLA from Godhra, Haresh Bhatt, a new entrant to the BJP whose moustache is as famous as the hardcore Hindutva he peddles. ‘‘We don’t expect anything from the party, we are here to give everything we have,’’ said R.C. Gajjar, a government employee, describing how all the group members spent from their pockets to acquire ‘‘a different identity.’’

They started as early as 8.15 a.m. from Kalol. Shouting pro-BJP and pro-Hindu slogans, the group soon lost their place in the sun to film stars and senior leaders, including the Prime Minister and the newly-crowned CM.

Once the swearing-in was over, the group was at its loudest best again, taking care to ensure that all the members were seen together. The group had more members but not all of them were in the saffron uniform. Obviously, the rest had not bargained for the response their colleagues were getting.

‘‘We are one and the same,’’ the rest, feeling left out, said trying to sneak in for the photo session. ‘‘We have been attending all the BJP programmes but the idea to have a complete saffron suit struck us only recently,’’ said Kirti Trivedi, another boisterous member of the group. The ‘‘uniform’’ was ready only last night.

What will they do with the dress now? ‘‘We will attend all party functions in the same uniforms. After all, we are going to capture Delhi soon,’’ they said.