On way to Wankhede, all were for Modi, none for his Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

For most, it was simply a reason to party.

The bus from Dahisar’s Shiv Mandir in Anand Nagar was supposed to leave for Wankhede at 1 pm. But it’s nearing 1.10 pm and there is no sign of either the people or the bus, arranged by the BJP president of Ward 2, Bhakti Singh. The first supporter to arrive, Ashok Mishra, says sourcing the BJP paraphernalia, flags and such, caused the delay. Soon, a group of close to 15 men and two women, mostly Gujaratis, gather. The mood is festive and scarves in orange and green bearing BJP’s party symbol are distributed.

The bus leaves at 2 pm. A pit-stop is made to collect a parcel of snacks and a few “kalkatta saada”. The moment we hit the highway, the bus gathers speed and the ward’s treasurer, Vivek Seth, takes out a box of samosas. Soon, everyone is handed out a paper plate; samosas, kachoris and barfi follow. There’s a suggestion to play antakshari. Thwarted by Seth, Bharti Dave, a mahila adhyaksh with the ward, instead says, “Let’s sing Modiji’s praises.” They settle for films songs on the bus radio, until the system goes kaput.

While some go for a second helping, a plate of leftovers is flung out of the window by an aged gentleman sitting in front. The initial spell of silence, perhaps triggered by a reporter’s presence among them, is soon overcome by Dave’s suggestion to use a plastic bag. “Modiji ne Swachh Bharat Abhiyan chalaya hai,” she announces.

As the refuse is being collected in the bag, jibes at Shiv Sena are rife. “Let’s send the leftovers to Matoshree,” someone offers.
Since we are behind schedule, the group decides to take the sea link. But the vote is unanimous: “We won’t pay the toll”.

When the bus queues up a the toll counter, waving the BJP flag does the trick. A loud cheer and a call of ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’ follows.

The demonstration of patriotism hits a feverish pitch as we reach Grant Road, where several such buses are lined up in the traffic and streets are swarming with BJP supporters.

The same enthusiasm is on display inside the stadium. Modi makes an entry at 4.24pm and the people across the stands are soon on their feet,shouting and cheering.

After the oath, Fadnavis is greeted with an applause but a louder one is reserved for Eknath Khadse. The maximum cheer, however, comes for Pankaja Munde.

Even Uddhav Thackeray gets a favourable response.

Singh conceded that the party will find itself short-staffed across the state if they don’t take Shiv Sena’s support. “We’ve worked with Sena workers all these years, but this recent fall-out and current uncertainty has made things awkward between us. Uddhav’s presence today gives us some hope for an alliance.”

Within 45 minutes, the function is over, leaving disappointed the crowd that has waited hours for the “big show”. Neither Modi nor any of the other leaders have addressed the crowds. Many in the crowds are waiting back to see if something “big” will happen. But as the stadium begins to empty out, they turn to leave too.

In the rush to exit, the empty boxes of snacks, paper flags, staff are left behind, Modi’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan forgotten. Soon, the supporters are climbing atop seats to make a quick getaway, stepping on the flags, the identity of the very party that they have brought to power in the state.