When everyone just soaked in the victory celebrations

Euphoria pervaded the City as workers of different parties erupted in cheer, celebrating the victory of their candidates. Distributing sweets, bursting crackers and taking out rallies on bikes, supporters gathered in huge numbers everywhere, taking over the streets.

Immaterial of whether one voted or not, actively followed politics or not, the results of the BBMP elections 2015 aroused everyone’s curiosity.

The counting of votes began at 8 am and party workers had begun to gather outside the counting stations right from 7 am. Even as they came to know that their candidate was leading, they began celebrations, much before the official results.

There were huge traffic jams around the counting centres and party offices. Those travelling to work during were stuck in the crawling traffic. However, the public did not seem to mind the disruption as they turned curious onlookers, taking in all the jubilation around them.

Ate, drank, made merry

Distribution of sweets and snacks was the highlight at Dasarahalli, Hegganahalli and Okalipuram. In Okalipuram, BJP workers had stopped a fruit cart and generously helped themselves to the fruits. There was also huge rush at liquor shops on Magadi Road since morning.

Loud shouts of ‘BJP zindabad, BJP zindabad’ were heard in Vijayanagar where party candidate Anand Hosur had won from Hampinagar ward. The slogans enthused the candidate to shout more slogans. In Govindarajanagar ward where BJP candidate Umesh Shetty was celebrating, party workers took out a march. Overall it was a BJP show in the two wards.

Candidates were garlanded and sweets were distributed to the public by members of the winning party amidst drum beats, at Maria Niketan High School and D’Costa Layout. Supporters lifted the winners waving the party flags. At the Government Junior College in Malleswaram, there were mixed reactions. While BJP won in five wards in the Malleswaram Assembly constituency, two were taken by Congress.

Choked roads

The usually silent bylanes of Jayanagar 4th block saw a traffic jam for several hours. Similar was the case on the stretch from Basaveshwara College to ESIC Hospital. The celebrations in front of Basaveshwara College added to the peak hour traffic near Navarang theatre.

The ever-busy Magadi Road also saw traffic jam owing to a huge rush of party workers on the main roads and bylanes in many wards of Dasarahalli constituency. School timings were affected and parents dropping children to school were stuck. The busy market street of New Thippasandra choked with vehicles even as party workers took out victory processions on the main road. However, some bylanes did wear a deserted look, as if representing the sombre mood of those who lost.

Victory for Couple

At St Joseph’s Indian High School on Vittal Mallya Road, as soon as public speakers blared the news that P Sowmya, Congress candidate from Shanthinagar ward had received over 10,000 votes and won, supporters cheered in joy. When Sowmya and her husband P Shivakumar came out, supporters carried Shivakumar on their shoulders. To an onlooker, it seemed as if he had won. “I am feeling very happy at having won,” said Sowmya.

Police efficiency

Asking a bunch of ecstatic party workers to contain their joy is no ordinary task. The police ensured that there were no crowds near the counting centres. At Vidya Mandir school in ITI Colony, Dooravani Nagar, Home Guards were making sure that no untoward incident took place. In fact, this had proven to be a tricky spot during previous elections.

Bobby Andrew Prashanth, a confectionery shop-owner, said, “Usually, the candidates and their supporters gather near the main gate of the school. This causes huge traffic jam on the main road. But this time, they were asked to gather near the rear gate. This helped free movement of motorists,” he said.