The Hindu : Party workers brave fog, security blanket

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 26, 2003

National

National

Party workers brave fog, security blanket

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI DEC. 25. Security personnel had a tough time at the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee's residence today as the huge crowd of supporters lacked the patience to "come in queue'' so that they could be frisked one by one.

Of course, it was the 79th birthday celebrations of their "beloved leader'' and therefore, no one could be turned away. Right at the entrance to 7 Race Course Road, there was a huge queue and if Mr. Vajpayee had braved the fog to be there to greet his supporters, the latter too started queuing up since early morning. Party workers could be seen distributing sweets to all who came.

There was a three-tier security system in place and while there was not much frisking at the "first entry point," people were individually checked at the second entry.

Here, they formed themselves into queues and there was jostling and pushing as each one wanted to be the first to get in. And as people pushed each other, someone said: "The birthday celebrations should have been held at a public place like Ramlila Grounds or Pragati Maidan."

The third entry point tested the patience of the supporters as each one was frisked individually before being let inside the lawns where the Prime Minister's felicitation was to take place. Since there were only three metal detectors in place it took a lot of time and some impatient supporters could be seen climbing up the railing to move ahead.

As for the first-timers, they felt like going away but had no choice but to be moved forward by the queue. "If I had known that it would take this much time, I would have stayed at home,'' said a party worker. MLAs , MPs and other VIPs entered through a separate door with no queues. Security personnel had to appeal to the partymen to observe orderliness in the queue.

Once inside, the arrangements seemed perfect as everyone got a seat and there was a semblance of discipline. Children could be seen playing in the lawns and it seemed that the holiday spirit added to the enthusiasm of the party workers and supporters.

However, it was at the end of the celebrations that indiscipline raised its ugly head once again.

In his vote of thanks, the Delhi Unit BJP president, Harsh Vardhan, invited everyone to partake of the "prasad."

There was a mad rush with people making a beeline for the "prasad'' corner.

While the early birds jostled and pushed each other to pick up a handful of boxes for themselves, many had to return disappointed.

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