Average Congress Show in Jammu

8000 empty chairs greet Sonia Gandhi at MAM stadium

P S BALI

Jammu, Dec 10: Empty chairs greeted Congress president, Sonia Gandhi here at MAM stadium, when she arrived to address a campaign rally on Wednesday, apparently reflecting ‘mood of the people in the region’.

Around 7,000 people turned up for the rally, the only one she was addressing in Jammu ahead of last two phases of assembly polls in which around 22 constituencies would to polls  in the region.

 The crowd remained indifferent and it cheered only at intervals during her 20-minute address, when she made some remarks about J&K Congress leaders.

The event was wrapped up in 15-20 minutes, as organizers and party president were probably disappointed with the bare chairs.

According to organizers, the party had ordered around 15, 000 chairs for the event, but could not accumulate that much gathering, as more than 50 percent seats remained unoccupied.

“This was unexpected, as many contesting candidates had promised to bring their lot of supporters for the event, but the total head count was   far less than what was expected,” said a member of organizing committee, wishing anonymity.

He added that only a few hundred supporters each from the   constituencies of Surinder Singh Singhari, Raman Bhalla and Mulla Ram turned up at the venue, while the stalwart candidates from the rural constituencies of Jammu district like Deputy Chief Minister and PHE Minister Sham Lal Sharma totally failed to mobilize the crowds , which was disappointing.

Surprisingly, in her 20 minute speech, wherein she urged upon the people to vote for Congress party and reject ‘divisive politics’ of BJP and other parties, she received very dull response.

The people cheered only on few occasions when Sonia Gandhi accentuated contribution of the local leaders and once when she came down the dais to meet the gathering in the rally.