If you are friends with the Congress candidate, by all means invite him for a meal, but vote for the lotus,” he demands.
Navalgund taluk in Hubli is your average one-horse town and the news that chief minister BS Yeddyurappa will address an election rally here has spread like wildfire.
One hardly needs directions to get to the big maidan in the area where the CM will arrive for the rally.
Yeddyurappa, son of the soil, is a man with a mission, descending from the air, addressing the people and vanishing again.
“Nowadays, we can fit in six meetings in a day,” Nanjaiah, an old-time RSS worker, says.
But does it help connect with the voter?
“Well, it demonstrates the clout of the candidate if a VIP addresses a rally. The message is clear that if the CM could spare time for him, it pays to elect him,” Nanjaiah adds.
The weather is hot, and we see is a couple of BJP workers wrestle with a carton of mineral water bottles. “Nodappa, idranna adagi itko matte kashta agatte, (Look man, hide this otherwise later you will be in trouble),” says one to the other. With a crowd full of thirsty people looking on, the effort is to save the bottles for the VIPs who will be occupying the stage soon.
Election commission officials are around, keeping a watchful eye.
“How much for the tent,” an official says. “Only four thousand, sir,” says Ramesh Gowda, a BJP worker in the area.
Another worker then announces that tiffin (snacks) would be served, as the VIPs will be a couple of hours late. “Tiffin! What are you serving?” barks the official. “Only upma, sir,” replies Gowda.
The official cools down. But as the sun grows hotter and the crowd restive, a mimicry artiste is called on stage to entertain the crowd. He chooses to imitate the chief minister himself. He is hastily pulled back. The crowd roars in protest. Instead, the local MLA is asked to deliver a speech.
After a long wait, the thunder of the helicopter is heard and the VIPs, including the candidate, sitting MP Prahlad Joshi, arrive.
Yeddyurappa’s speech is peppered with the achievements of his government and he barely manages to fit in the candidate’s name. Even Advani’s bid for prime ministership is mentioned towards the end of his speech.
“You have to give me your word that you will vote for the BJP. If you are friends with Manjunath Kannur [the Congress candidate], by all means invite him for a meal, but vote for the lotus,” he demands.
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