Fever cuts short Sonia’s road show in Modi’s den
Taking the fight to the lion’s den, the Congress on Tuesday put up a show of strength in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s constituency, Varanasi.
Led by president Sonia Gandhi, the party electrified the streets of the temple city with an impressive, and by most accounts, unprecedented road show.
Patrons of the temple city and Congress leaders do not recall the last time the party generated such a turnout or instilled such a combative mood in its cadre.
Launching a direct assault at the Prime Minister, the Congress pulled in all the stops to make the event a sensational affair.
Ms. Gandhi, however, had to abandon the last stretch of her five-hour long show due to high fever, robbing her of a visit to the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple — locally termed Kashi ka daroga (caretaker of Kashi).
Enthusiastic cadre
Ms Gandhi began her march on Tuesday afternoon in clear weather with a floral tribute to the statue of B.R. Ambedkar at the district collectorate.
The mood was already set by hundreds of Congress workers on bikes, waving party flags and shouting slogans as she received a grand welcome at the Babatpur airport.
Initially seated inside an SUV, Ms. Gandhi later moved to a vehicle with open sunroof, as she waved to the crowds. At several points, she stepped out of the vehicle to acknowledge the supporters. Though Ms. Gandhi was unable to deliver her scheduled speech, the event was high on symbolism, evoking positive signals for the Congress’ target constituencies — Brahmins, Dalits and Muslims.
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