In Mumbai, politicians still converting votes into victory

In the NCP office, the meetings began as `late’ as 9 am today because everyone concerned went to bed only at 3 am on Sunday. Apparently, “there were a lot of things to discuss”. As the week-long deliberations continue, party workers huddledtogether in the premises of A-10 Madam Cama Road and began the whisper campaign. While NCP national President Sharad Pawar and state president Chhagan Bhujbal went over issues for the nth time behind closed doors, party workers sat outside gossiping. The chatter only stopped for lunch, tea and water. And when the leaders deigned to give their people a darshan.

Ambaras Rathore has been doing the rounds of the NCP office for days now, giving his little spiel to anyone who cares to listen. He patiently waits for “the big leader” to hear him. Other than pledge his loyalty, he also wants ticket fare to return to his hometown, Akola.

“We are the deciding factor, you know,” says a worker to the tiny audience that has gathered around him. “Either way, nobody can form a government without the NCP’s support.”

Meanwhile, the NCP’s likely ally, the Congress, has its own little party. Suresh Kalmadi is in town and senior party leaders find it convenient to camp at his Oberoi Hotel suite and talk politics. Forthem, the day began with a meeting in the morning, which a Congressman adds, was “nothing to write home about”.

The real action, though, began in the evening. Room 1559 at the Oberoi was the venue for the grand meeting between the NCP and Congress leaders. Suresh Kalmadi played host to fellow partymen Murli Deora, Shivajirao-Patil Nilangker, Prataprao Bhonsle, Vilasrao Deshmukh and NCP members Chhagan Bhujbal and Praful Patel. Over high-tea, they discussed their possible alliance. Munching on sandwiches and sipping coffee, they arrived at their respective decisions.

Clarifying the NCP’s stand, Bhujbal said the NCP would not budge from its demand for chief ministership. Fifteen minutes later, state Congress President Prataprao Bhonsle said that they would sit in the Opposition unless the new chief minister was from their party. After 45 minutes, they were back to square one.

While the NCP and Congress “discussed”, the BJP did the same. While the party office was completely deserted, the stategovernment guest-house Sahayadri was witness to a somber meeting chaired by Pramod Mahajan. The Shiv Sena leaders were expected to attend but decided to stay home instead.

Whether their leaders sulk, talk, rave or rant, Mumbaikars are keeping themselves tuned in. And so is the country.