Tears, slogans drown Pandya’s last rites

The funeral started from his house in Shardakunj Society, near Shreyas Crossing, and passed through Vikas Gruh Road, Town Hall, Mithakhali and Nehru Bridge, before reaching the party office in Khanpur.

Hundreds of people lined up along the procession route, especially when it passed through areas that are part of Ellis Bridge constituency, which Pandya had represented for three terms.

State BJP chief Rajendrasinh Rana and other leaders travelled in the truck carrying his body. The procession was scheduled to reach the BJP office at 9 am but reached there around noon.

A posse of policemen and other security agencies had been deployed near the BJP office in Khanpur, where Pandya’s body was kept on a platform to allow people to pay tribute.

Many supporters got impatient when they were made to wait to allow senior leaders first. They threatened to break the security cordon before they were allowed inside the shamiana. The police had to use force to keep the surging crowds in check.

Though no anti-Modi slogans were heard at the party office, the Chief Minister was taken out stealthily from an opening in the shamiana — probably to avoid any embarrassment.

Advani did not come to the party office but attended the last rites performed at the V.S. Hospital crematorium. Former CM Keshubhai Patel was sitting with Pandya’s father throughout the procession and was with family members after Modi and Advani had left.

There were so many supporters near the body that the priests found it difficult to perform the rites. There were frequent announcements asking them to move away and let family members perform the last rituals.

Pandya’s 13-year-old son Namra lit the pyre crying. The Vedic mantras were drowned in chants hailing Pandya.

With hundreds of supporters swarming near the pyre, it took close relatives and leaders a long time to lower the body on to the pyre. A few people who stood atop the compound wall of the crematorium to watch the proceedings fell on the river side of the wall.