Narendra Modi: Laccha paratha, gulab jamun for VIP supporters

AHMEDABAD: Midway through the first day of his fast, chief minister Narendra Modi starred in a self directed scene of amity, though the venue of his ‘sadbhavna’ show - the GU Convention Centre - was not houseful. A Muslim family had queued up behind a procession of lawyers waiting to greet Modi. He remained seated as he shook hands with the lawyers.

But when the family approached him, Modi stood up and the group huddled like a wedding-reception lineup for the cameras. In that picture, a smiling face framed by a burqa reflected Modi’s awareness that a blockbuster was being played out to the national media.

Indeed, though reports in the run-up to the threeday event suggested mass mobilization, only the stages flanking Modi’s elevated platform showed high occupancy. The two smaller stages had BJP’s leaders and their guests. But even these VIPs were at a considerable distance from the main figure. And perhaps recognizing their peripheral significance, they remained listless and stared moodily towards the spectators.

Eventually, at around 3.30 pm, the minor stars of the Modi constellation vanished altogether. General visitors - like Amrutbhai Patel, 61, a resident of Biliya village - were also eager to leave by that time. “Sameerbhai, Jaynarayan Vyas’s elder son, has organized 10 buses for people of my village,” Patel said. “I spent 30 minutes at the venue and loved the experience.”

Those who stayed back were served poori and bataka nu shaak.

The food, catered by Bapa Sitaram Seva Trust, could not keep up with the demand. As a waiter brought in fresh pooris, he was nearly mobbed by people. The police had to control the hungry Sadbhavna supporters. Rameshbhai Chaudhary, a 45-year-old resident of Khatoda, Vadnagar, said: “We had to wait for long for food. Now we are almost having to fight for it.”

Other guests, the ones who did not need buses, were offered executive lunches comprising laccha paratha, dal fry, paneer butter masala, and gulab jamun.

Back at the hall, streams of Modi fans filed past the stage. Some bowing deeply, others waving with authentic pleasure. Modi greeted most of them.