Celebratory mode on as state painted saffron

Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service
Shimla, May 23

The saffron party burst into celebrations at Oakover, the official residence of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, and the BJP headquarters. A large number of supporters assembled at both places.

Enthusiastic workers and supporters made a beeline for Oakover to congratulate the Chief Minister and the workers. They distributed sweets, burst crackers and danced. Thakur’s wife Sadhana Thakur also joined the folk dancers and party workers. 

BJP candidate from Shimla Suresh Kashyap, who was at the counting centre in Dhami, reached Oakover as the lead became unassailable. Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahender Singh, Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, chief whip Narender Bragta and organising secretary Pawan Rana also greeted the Chief Minister for this unprecedented victory.

It was a festive atmosphere at the CM’s residence with pakaros, tea and sweets being on the house and 180 shots of crackers were burst at one go as the lead of the four BJP candidates crossed 3 lakh.   

The celebration had started in advance at the state BJP office, which was abuzz with activity as the leaders and workers congratulated each other. 

The BJP also held meetings at the party office and took out a victory march from the Central Telegraph Office (CTO) to Shere Punjab via Lower Bazaar and back to the CTO. Slogans like ‘Bharat mata ki jai, Modi ji ko jai shri ram’ were being raised. 

On the other hand, the Congress headquarters wore a deserted look. There was no hustle and bustle and the only thing which did not disappear was the huge party’s poster.