The Hindu : New Delhi News : It is jubilation all the way

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 14, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

It is jubilation all the way

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MAY 13. A sadhu holding a Congress flag and walking under the hot summer sun in the Laxmi Nagar area of East Delhi this afternoon more than highlighted the prevailing mood among the masses as the outcome of the elections has paved the way for change of guard at the Centre.

That the Congress has almost swept Delhi - with Vijay Kumar Malhotra alone managing to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party flag flying in South Delhi - just goes to show that there has been a radical shift away from the BJP and towards the Congress by several sections of society.

Across the Capital, which already has the Congress as the ruling party in the Delhi Assembly and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, there was jubilation as the results began pouring in. Though initially there was also a bit of disbelief at the extent and scale of the losses sustained by the BJP and its allies and the gains made by Congress and its allies, soon the message of victory sunk in and Congress supporters started the celebrations.

Initially congratulatory messages were sent through SMS and phone calls. Soon sweet shops began witnessing a rush as a large number of people bought and distributed sweets. At several places across the Capital, the Congress activists also burst crackers to express joy at the resounding success in Delhi.

On the roads, the long-drawn election process still left a hangover on the people as most of them were seen discussing the outcome of the polls. By afternoon, as the election result almost became clear, the discussions became more animated. In a city bus, people were heard ridiculing BJP's poll plank of "foreign origin''. "What is the issue about when they are themselves opening up their economy to foreigners, who are now literally ruling us?'' said a woman passenger.

For other passengers the results were a "dream come true''. "I sincerely hope that Delhi becomes a full State. With the police and land being vested in the hands of the Delhi Government, the law and order situation would improve, the police would become more accountable and the problems associated with growth of unauthorised colonies,'' would also be curtailed.

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