Calcutta, Feb 7: The people of Calcutta were a disappointed lot when Priyanka Vadra (Gandhi) did not show up at the Congress party's Brigade Parade Ground rally on Thursday.Kamalapati Pal, who had come all the way from Burdwan, about 70 km from the venue, to attend the rally, said: "We have a special affection for Priyanka, and that is why we have come. May be she would not have said anything but may have waved her hand at us and that would have been enough for us."
The disappointment was more for the Youth Congress turks who were hoping to catch a glimpse of their likely president. They were excited about the possibility of her taking over the reins of the outfit. Syed Abul Bashar, 22, said: "If she takes over as the Youth Congress president there will be a new enthusiasm among the young men who will come out spontaneously to work for the party and it will help Congress in the end. I was hoping that she would be saying something today."
Raza Mama lives in Calcutta itself and feels that Priyanka wouldbe an asset to the Congress. He said: "The youth are looking for a young image to lead the country."
Alongside the cutouts of legendary leaders of the Congress such as Nehru, Patel and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, there were two cutouts of Priyanka, waving her hand, at the rally.
Priyanka's name was being announced time and again on the microphones at the venue of the rally even after Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul arrived in the city without Priyanka. Only after they were on the dais did people realise that Priyanka was not there.
Still, one of the party faithfuls was heard saying: "I believe Priyanka had come, she just did not come up to the dais."
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
