Rahul Gandhi’s show of strength on Patna streets for ‘Bihari Babu’

PATNA: When Congress president Rahul Gandhi arrived for his roadshow on Thursday evening, it was not the usual ‘zindabad’ slogans that greeted him. Instead, the Congress president heard his current favourite slogan rent the air as the crowd broke into ‘Chowkidaar chor hai’ chants. As his convoy rolled, Rahul gave in to the crowd’s enthusiasm and joined them shouting the slogan that has become his signature refrain.
Rahul’s roadshow for the Congress candidate for Patna sahib, sitting MP Shatrughan Sinha, drew a massive crowd as his convoy rolled carrying ally RJD’s Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Katihar sitting MP Tariq Anwar and senior Congress leader Akhilesh Prasad Singh.Shatrughan’s wife, SP candidate from Lucknow Poonam Sinha, and sons Luv and Kush Sinha were also present.
If Amit Shah’s roadshow last week went through the city’s busy business street, the Congress president’s cavalcade was greeted with flower petals and garlands as it covered the stretch between Moin-ul-Haq Stadium and Nala Road.
When the convoy reached Nala Road, Shatrughan addressed the crowd and used his quintessential ‘khamosh’ dialogue to calm the crowd, but the cheers only got louder. “We are here for a change and to fight against wrongdoing and I am sure the people of Patna will shower their blessings on me,” said Shatrughan amid cheers from the crowd.
Adding his colours, Tejashwi asked the crowd to chant “BJP hatao, desh bachao” and his favourite “Paltu chacha hatao, Bihar bachao” aimed at Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.
The crowd was, however, waiting for the showstopper — Rahul Gandhi — to take the microphone. Answering to the demand, Rahul said, “Patna showed the energy in Bihar to the entire country today (Thursday). Vote for your favourite Bihari Babu and let him work for you.”
Interestingly, he pointed towards a shop — Sandip Steel Furniture — and said, “It is people like Sandip ji who have suffered due to note ban and GST and I can understand his pain. When Congress comes to power, we will ensure an easier and cheaper tax regime.”
Later speaking to TOI, the owner of the shop clarified and said the shop is named after his son Sandip and identifying himself as Anand Kumar said, “It feels good when such a big leader takes your name and he was right in saying that demonetisation and GST have indeed created troubles for us.”
Hours before the roadshow was about to start, supporters and passers-by could be seen queuing up on both sides of the street. Two kids, Bishu and Abhishek, could be seen sitting on a divider with Congress flags. Asked who told them to wait there, the kids said, “Nobody. We want to see Rahul Gandhi.”
Talking to TOI, Dr Rekha Kumari, who too wanted a glimpse of the Congress president said, “The crime rate has gone down but more needs to be done. Whoever comes to power, the ailing problems of the city need to be addressed.”