Paanch Saal Kejriwal, the jingle composed by noted music director Vishal Dadlani, especially for the Delhi elections that made people sway to the catchy number reverberated across the national Capital as overjoyed supporters rent the air with unbridled joy and danced.
It was a highly satisfying reward for the thousands of volunteers of the Aam Aadmi Party, who had worked 24x7 to realise the dream of the common man. The scene outside AAP’s office in busy East Patel Nagar was euphoric and supporters flooded the area.
The landslide victory of the fledgling political party against the might of the BJP is more creditable since it was achieved with people’s support, including donations. The mood on Tuesday was just the opposite when AAP contested its maiden lok Sabha polls and lost all seven lok Sabha seats in Delhi. The party was down and out but rose like phoenix and stomped over its rivals, including ruling BJP. Volunteers toasted every moment of victory celebrations as rapturous supporters from the all sections of the society joined the party.
As the day progressed with results flashing on the giant screen at the party office, the celebrations got louder. The mood was just electric in the morning as AAP leaders had made elaborate arrangements sensing victory. They had made arrangements to shower flowers as Kejriwal appeared on the balcony with wife in tow.
Ecstatic supporters danced to the tunes and balloons flew all over making it a colourful spectacle for them to savour. As the results were declared, supporters responded with thunderous applause and burst crackers. Entire spectrum of Delhi was at display at AAP’s East Patel Nagar office as men from all walks of life, including children jostled for space. Muffler Man, who became a rage on social media, was on full display. Party supporters danced merrily with the party symbol — broom.
It was around 10.30 am when the man of the moment Arvind Kejriwal appeared on the balcony of their party office and the atmosphere was transformed. Scribes jostled for space too as they were joined by a correspondent from the foreign media. “I have an interest in India,” said a freelance Italian journalist residing in India.
Supporters had saved their biggest roar for their leader Kejriwal’s victory. They responded with more gusto when the screens flashed about the defeat of BJP’s Kiran Bedi to SK Bagga of AAP. Drenched in the historic win for the AAP, its volunteers and supporters could be seen celebrating all over the city. They were singing and dancing in the streets with their party flags and that trademark white cap. The national Capital was painted red with AAP supporters as crestfallen BJP supporters receded in oblivion. Their party officer reflected the mood about the crushing defeat that was handed over to them by the AAP and the discerning voters of Delhi.
The victory also meant that AAP had broken through all the class barriers as entire Delhi stood in support barring three seats that the BJP managed to win. AAP also demolished the myth they were only the party of slum dwellers. From the lower strata colonies and the JJ clusters to the posh Greater Kailash rooted for AAP and that reflected in the final tally of seats. “BJP has been left to lick it wounds,” said an AAP volunteer.
The victory for AAP also meant to its supporters that all their power and water woes have ended on Tuesday as they chanted “Paani maaf, bijli maaf”. The same feeling of having won had soon the cascading effect with all those assembled at East Patel Nagar office singing in unison and raised the party slogan.