Party over before it began

AHMEDABAD, Oct 6: How long shall we sit here? Let's go home,'' said Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president C D Patel while watchi...

AHMEDABAD, Oct 6: 8220;How long shall we sit here? Let8217;s go home,8221; said Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president C D Patel while watching the news on television with party colleagues huddled in his chamber here. The party office compound wore a deserted look. The party, it appeared, was over.

In sharp contrast, the BJP had arranged for public display of election results directly downloaded from the Internet. Anticipating a large turnout of crowds, it had locked the front gate since early afternoon. But this proved a miscalculation as there was no great rush except for curious passersby who stopped by to see the latest trends.

Since the Congress was losing face, its senior leaders chose not to hog the limelight and instead sent State Youth Congress president Himmatsinh Patel to defend the party. Ahmedabad8217;s losing candidate Girish Dani was nowhere to be seen in the party office in the evening and the general atmosphere was that of resignation.

Watching Himmatsinh Patel8217;s valiant defence of the Congress on TV, a party spokesperson quipped, 8220;There is nothing left to be said after this.8221; Patel had just remarked that the Congress was emerging victorious all by itself in the country while the BJP was doing so with the help of its allies. Reacting to political observer Dinesh Shukla8217;s comment that the Congress had failed to impress voters despite raising issues affecting them directly, the PCC chief said 8220;things should not be seen that way because issues of national importance got precedence over local problems8221;.

Commenting on the performance of Shankersinh Vaghela and Atmaram Patel, he disagreed that it was owing to their personal charisma.

At the BJP headquarters, the mood was upbeat yet solemn, with important office-bearers glued to the TV set to know the latest trends. On knowing that the BJP was leading on around 13 seats at around 4.30 pm, State general secretary Gordhanbhai Zadaphia said his party had crossed the 16:10 barrier which was created by the media. 8220;We will cross all notional barriers one by one,8221; he said.

Rajya Sabha member Prafull Goradia, while listening to comments on TV by party leaders country-wide, sought to know the latest impression from mediapersons. Two computers with Internet facility and a big screen set up outside the party office, besides installation of about half a dozen TV sets completed the scene at the party office.

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There were also those who had indulged in heavy betting. Eyes glued to the TV screen, they waited with bated breath and every fresh result increased or reduced their anxiety, depending on their stakes.

Shankersingh Vaghela faced intense hooting from BJP workers while he was being interviewed by a TV crew at the Sales Tax Bhavan where election results are being displayed and candidates and leaders are being interviewed for their instant reactions. He had to be escorted out by the police as the crowd grew restive.