The placard: Overhead, oversized, chasing cameras

The Congress went fancier from day two, with printed slogans in multiple colours.

Written by Manoj C G

New Delhi | Updated: August 5, 2015 12:47 PM IST

3 min read

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It is not as potent as pepper spray or as unusual as slogans on umbrellas, but the placard has defined the monsoon session and magnified the Congress’s strength of 44 in the Lok Sabha. Its size growing, its placement shifting, the placard contributed in large part to the suspension of 25 MPs.

Congress MPs had been carrying the placards inside from day one. The initial size was modest, a tad larger than an A3 sheet. Yet they drew attention, with slogans such as “Bade Modi meherban to chhote Modi pehelwan” and “Modiji 56 inch dikhao, Sushma, Raje ko turant hatao”.

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The Congress went fancier from day two, with printed slogans in multiple colours. BJP members countered these with paper posters, a rather hurried job, with slogans such as “C for corruption, C for Congress”.

Improvisation came when it became clear that Lok Sabha TV was not showing either the protesters in the well or their placards. On July 31, the 10th day, the placards doubled in both length and breadth. “These were 2 feet × 4 feet. The earlier ones had been 1×2. Our protest was not being seen by the outside world,” an MP said.

Rajeev Satav was in charge of getting the placards made. The former Youth Congress president used his “old setup”. The slogans are the work of the communications department and the “Youth Congress boys”.

Younger MPs Gaurav Gogoi, Ravneet Singh Bittu and Satav would carry the placards inside from the CPP office and back. Inside, Ninong Ering, Sushmita Dev, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Deepender Hooda and Mausam Noor would hold these aloft.

Although the placards were larger, catching the camera was still proving difficult. Then Rahul Gandhi got into the act. He asked MPs to raise the placards above their heads so that they could be seen on television. Hooda was seen bringing more placards distributing to those standing in the well. A Congress MP said Rahul even walked around the House inspecting the camera positions.

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It was decided later that members carrying placards would stand in front of ministers on the other side of the well. The idea was to catch the cameras focused on either the Speaker or the minister who was speaking at the moment.

The Congress members were constantly improvising. For instance, Satav was not in the House last Friday. He could not see the placards his colleagues were holding aloft as by then television cameras were focusing on the Speaker from the side too. Finally, Congress members stood on both sides of the Speaker.

Manoj C.G

Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape. Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis. The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage. Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting. Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics. National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections. Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum. Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital. Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief. Find all stories by Manoj C G here. ... Read More

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