Yatra in Punjab: BJP blames thin crowd on police

Bole So Nihal. That was the rallying cry of the Bharat Uday Yatra in Punjab today. Coloured by marigold petals and sombre black flags, the s...

Bole So Nihal. That was the rallying cry of the Bharat Uday Yatra in Punjab today. Coloured by marigold petals and sombre black flags, the saffron of the yatra also got a dash of Akali blue as it wound its way through the green countryside to a lukewarm reception on the streets. The BJP also got a taste of the ways of the Punjab police which allegedly kept the public at bay.

Early in the morning, when Advani entered Punjab at the Mohali barrier, the crowds were sparse, and consisted largely of BJP workers who rued that the gathering at the next halt at Kharar was even less. Yes, there were former BJP ministers, but fewer supporters. The numbers slightly swelled when Akali leaders emerged with supporters.

This story was repeated throughout the state. If youth leader Kiranbir Singh Kang was leading the youth at Mohali, it was Rajbir Singh Padiala at the forefront at the next stop.

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Advani used the cricket metaphor to bowl over supporters. In every speech, he spoke of a match whose result was already out, and one in which Punjab could score 13-0 by winning all the seats.

The Akalis were more vociferous. ‘‘10 May, Congress gayee,’’ they chorused as Advani made sure Bharat Mata Ki Jai was followed by Bole So Nihal. At Samrala, there was another protest. But it was Ludhiana, where a crowd drew out black flags from their pockets, that unsettled the yatra. Police rained lathis on them, but they had made their point by then.

At most places, police played truant, a fact attested by those who have travelled with Advani. At Ludhiana, MLA Ranjit Singh Talwandi took to stage to protest against police preventing SAD workers from joining the yatra. Cops erected barricades to make sure that crowds did not make it to the venues. But a few Muslims at Samrala, Namdharis at Mohali and Bhaini Sahib, and organising secretary Harjit Singh Grewal’s day was made. Yes, it was a saffron yatra, with a tinge of Akali blue.