With over a week left for the lok Sabha polls, the first rally of Congress President Sonia Gandhi in the national Capital witnessed a sizeable crowd. Organised at the ‘historic’ Ajmal Khan Park in Central Delhi, the rally saw enthusiastic supporters thronging the venue as early as 2 in the afternoon.
However, there were several disappointed groups who complained of not being allowed entry inside the park. With the weather paving in for a clear sky and a sunny day, the rally was well attended by 10,000 supporters. While the small park was nearly full, thousand others gathered around the park with many climbing over its railings to get a better view of the podium. The party workers had left no stone unturned to spare the blushes, as was the case in Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s Ambedkar Nagar rally held in November last year. Hundreds of buses filled with supporters were also provided to ensure a decent crowd.
By 4 pm, the police had shut the gates of the park restricting entry to hundreds of supporters. As a result, a number of them were seen climbing the walls of the park to cross over. “We want Congress to win. I have come all the way from Bijwasan to listen to Sonia Gandhi, but they won’t let us in,” said a disheartened Raju lal. later, Congress volunteers and party leaders were seen monitoring the arrangements and asked the police to allow in the crowd that was initially not let in due to lack of space.
The crowd cheered and raised slogans as Sonia Gandhi made her way to the stage at 5.20 pm. As she got ready to begin her speech, many rose on their chairs to take a look at the party stalwart. Their spirits were lifted as Gandhi time and again slammed the Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP, despite not taking the names of leaders of the parties.
The highest point for the crowd was when Gandhi reminded the masses of the ‘sacrifice’ made by various Congress leaders over the years. People shouted slogans in her favour when she attacked BJP’s prime ministerial probable Narendra Modi on the issue of secularism and nationalism. “Those who talk about nationalism are the ones who are involved in communal controversies. The real meaning of nationhood can be seen in our leaders who have sacrificed so much for this country,” said Gandhi. A thunderous applause was given to her when she attacked the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP and said, “Running a Government is no child’s play. Those who claimed of bringing in a better Government have themselves run away from their responsibilities.”
