Delhiites’ fascination for fancy number plates for their vehicles is an open secret. But aspirants’ cut-throat competition for special application numbers for Congress tickets for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Delhi is certainly amusing.
Congress managers are finding it difficult to meet the demands of applicants who are seeking application forms with serial numbers like 786, 13, 009, 007, 777, 55, 01, and 999, apparently for astrological and numerological reasons. Demand for application form number 786 is the highest. “It appears that they have been advised by their astrologers and numerologists to ask for forms bearing numbers such as 786, 13, 009, 007, 777, 55, 01, and 999,” said sources. Total 1,400 application forms have been distributed to ticket seekers till Saturday evening, while the party has printed 5,000 application forms.
Delhi Congress Sewa Dal chief and MCD Alderman Dineshwar Tyagi have taken application form with serial number 786, while Delhi Congress spokesman Jitender Kochhar, alias Jitu, has taken form bearing serial number 1. Tyagi said that 786 is an auspicious number for both Hindu and Muslim community. He waited for three hours to get this lucky number. Tyagi is seeking ticket from Timarpur constituency. While Kochhar said that the number 1 is lucky for him. He is seeking ticket from Greater Kailash constituency.
Though several aspirants have been competing for lucky numbers, a few others don’t care for it or seeking number considered inauspicious. Congress councillor from Nizamuddin ward and former Mayor Farhad Suri is seeking ticket from Jungpura constituency on the application form number 13. Suri had asked for this particular number. The number 13 is considered unlucky due to their resemblance to the words for 'death' and 'suffering' and there was only one demand for this number.
Cricketer Virender Sehwag's sister Anju Sehwag, who is councilor of Dakshinpuri Extension municipal ward, is seeking form bearing serial number 7, but this number has already been given to Usha Agarwal, the former councilor. Agarwal is seeking ticket from Rajender Nagar, while Sehwag's sister is seeking ticket from Najafgarh constituency. She has got a form with serial number 619.
Madan Khorwal considers number 9 lucky, and he has booked form with serial number 999 this time. He is seeking ticket from Karol Bagh. Congress MlA Balram Tanwar, who is seeking ticket from Chhattarpur has sent a special request for form number 1111 on his guru's advise. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's form number is 158.
Jai Ram Shastri said if someone asks for 1, it means that his or her rashi (star sign) is Venus. This calculation is done by the numerologists and it has a base in the astrology too. Sources said that poll dates are likely to be announced during Pitrapaksha (shradh) therefore ticket-seekers are taking help of astrologers.