Grand rally of India alliance
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
A glimpse of Mini India was seen in the Maharally of India Alliance at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday. People had arrived from various states including Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Manipur and Kanyakumari. People were reaching the venue since early morning to participate in the rally. Some started reaching the rally by train, bus and some in their own vehicles. A different kind of enthusiasm was seen among the people and workers coming here. Everyone was reaching Ramlila Maidan with enthusiasm.
The situation was such that by noon the Ramlila ground was packed with people, the chairs that had been placed were nowhere to be seen. As the heat of the sun was increasing in the afternoon, the enthusiasm among the people was also increasing. In such a situation, to control the crowd, policemen closed the entry to the ground for some time. Due to this there was anger among the leaders. However, entry was reopened to the public after an appeal by leaders from the stage.
Some party workers were seen arriving from Saturday evening itself to participate in it. This sequence continued till the end of the rally. As far as the eyes could see, only a crowd of people was visible in the field. Everyone seemed desperate to listen to their leaders. Many party workers had their bodies painted with the flag and symbol of the Congress party. At the same time, many workers were wearing masks of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. On the other hand, AAP workers were seen roaming around with party flags more than 10 feet high. Also, a person was walking at Delhi Gate with a fake dagger on his white clothes.
He had written democracy in red colour. At which everyone was looking with surprise. Similarly, 65-year-old Fatima, who had come from Gola Dairy on Ranjit Singh Flyover, was going to know about the people who came in support of Arvind Kejriwal. Due to the heat, she got tired and sat at one end of the road. Seeing them, the handcart vendors passing by made them sit in their carts. She says that she has set out to find out in which case Kejriwal has been detained.
People got excited as soon as Rahul arrived
After the leaders of the alliance reached the stage one by one, there was a different kind of peace in the atmosphere, but after some time, as soon as the addresses of the leaders started, slogans of save democracy were heard from everywhere. Gopal Rai was addressing the people when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived on the stage. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi’s name echoed through the crowd so fast that Rai had to stop his address. Everyone was shouting Rahul-Rahul. There was a competition among youth, women and elders to see Rahul. Everyone wanted to get a glimpse of him. Along with Congress, leaders of other parties and workers were also seen supporting Rahul. There was a different enthusiasm about him especially among the youth.
Fans arrived on wheel chairs to see the leaders
A good number of disabled people were also seen at the rally to see their leaders. Some had come on wheel chairs and some on motor vehicles. Hemant Soni, who came from Rohtak on a wheel chair, told that he had left home three days ago for the rally. He said that he has come to listen to Tejashwi Yadav. Got admission after much hesitation. He wishes to see them here.
People looked excited even outside the field
There was a crowd at the venue, but a large crowd of people was also seen gathering outside the Ramlila Maidan. Those who could not reach the ground were listening to the leaders’ address from outside. The situation was such that the police had to quickly close a road.