Mumbai, February 25: Sloganeering, fire-crackers, symbols in saffron and a lot of enthusiasm - that is how the Shiv Sena shows its strength. But this was one rally that was not about speeches or issues, it was about numbers.Right from the beginning it was apparent that the Shiv Sena had stretched itself to outdo the crowds drawn by Sonia Gandhi on Sunday at a similar rally at Shivaji Park. And early in the evening as Sena-BJP leaders saw some empty patches on the ground, they exhorted the people, shakha pramukhs of the Sena and district presidents of the BJP to ensure that those yawning gaps were adequately covered. At the scheduled time of 5 pm almost three-fourths of the park was empty.
For nearly two hours the audience had to be content listening to varied and witty parodies of Hindi film songs. ``We cannot afford to let even an inch of space on this ground remain vacant,'' said Sena general secretary Subash Desai. Sena youth leader Raj Thackeray, arriving a little before Sena supremo Bal Thackeray,ran an eagle eye across Shivaji Park and was also seen exhorting party functionaries to fill up the ground.
And when it finally began, every speaker on the dais insisted that it was an overwhelming crowd. It might have been: but try comparing it to the Congress' do last Sunday and numbers are flung to suit ones party preference. Said Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde, ``This rally is 10 times larger than Sonia's.'' Thackeray too showed his obsession with the figures. Obviously media comment that she had ``bearded the tiger in his own den'' cut to the quick for the Sena chief kept reiterating,``People came only to see her. They come to listen to me.''
He should be fairly content. For, as a person in the audience pointed out, ``There could have been more people at Sonia's rally but it was a floating crowd. This crowd seems committed.'' There was evidence - Malhari Bandgar and Shivaji Mahadik. Their physical disability could not prevent them from attending the rally. Both Malhari and Shivaji cycled theirway to the Shivaji Park this afternoon on their specially designed cycles. While Malhari came from Powai, Shivaji came from Wadala. ``I have been attending Thackeray's meetings since 1985. I do not mind taking this trouble for him. In fact, we are a group of about 25 handicapped people who regularly come here to listen to him,'' said Shivaji.
However, for Smita Samant, staying at Madhav Nivas building which is separated from Shivaji Park only by a road, such political rallies are part of the life. ``But it becomes a nuisance when they take place during my children's examinations. The organisers test the sound system only during nights. Our sleep is constantly interrupted,'' she said. Today, she said, she was going to step out of the house and listen to the leaders, which she did not do for Sonia's rally.
Though 80-year-old Indira Bhingarkar, accompanied by her retired wing commander son Anil, came to listen to Vajpayee, her vote has already been decided. ``I had also come to listen to Sonia, but wasworried about violence breaking out. Today I am feeling more secure,'' she said. Sitting next to her was Rajaram Shirodkar, 88, who was on his routine evening walk. ``But I decided to stay back. I wanted to listen to the leaders. Any way, there not much to do at home,'' he said.
However, Sena completely overshadowed BJP. Seven life-size cut-outs of Thackeray, none of Vajpayee. A glittering bow and arrow (Sena symbol) studded with neon light and a modest painted lotus (BJP symbol) were unveiled.
The hordes pouring in displayed saffron in every conceivable form. Posters bearing Thackeray's picture, tall chakras, T-shirts, orange caps, sun-shades, Nepali caps with the tiger and badges bearing the bow and arrow symbols had been distributed at every shakha well in advance.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
