Leader with a difference

ARVIND KEJRIWAL'S RETURN TO JAIL APPEARS IMMINENT. BUT HIS BLISTERING POLL CAMPAIGN MAY HAVE BRIGHTENED INDIA BLOC’S PROSPECTS

- SONI MISHRA AND MOHIT SHARMA

THE SUN IS SETTING as the roadshow of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Ludhiana slowly makes its way towards the culmination point. It is still intensely hot, but there is a huge crowd, eager to catch a glimpse of Kejriwal. The yellow and blue flags of the Aam Aadmi Party jostle for space as people wave at the AAP leader and many of them hold aloft their mobile phones to take pictures and record videos.

Kejriwal is in a black SUV, accompanied by the AAP candidate from Ludhiana, Ashok Parashar Pappi. He is standing up in the vehicle, looking out of the sunroof. A loudspeaker announces his arrival, playing the song Mera Rang De Basanti Chola, which is associated with Bhagat Singh. Kejriwal has often mentioned that the freedom fighter is among his idols. At regular intervals, a voice tells the public in Punjabi that “your favourite leader, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is in your midst”.

Someone from the crowd hands Kejriwal a framed portrait of Bhagat Singh, which he holds above his head. A while later, a mace is handed to Pappi, to be given to Kejriwal. The AAP leader’s devotion to Lord Hanuman is well known, and the mace is the deity’s main weapon. As the roadshow approaches its destination, Kejriwal climbs out of the sunroof and stands on top of the vehicle. The mace is handed to him. He holds it aloft and launches into slogans, starting with “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and following it up with cries of “Inquilab Zindabad”, “Vande Mataram”, “Jo Bole So Nihal”, “Jai Bajrang Bali” and ends with “Jai Shri Ram”.