A slightly sad saga of disappointed hopes

This morning in Vandre East, Trupti Sawant set out bravely on her last rally before voting day. Her husband had won the election from the same constituency in 2014 but he died the following year. Trupti came in as MLA through the ensuing by-election. This year she wasn’t given a ticket, which has gone to Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, the Shiv Sena mayor of Mumbai, but Trupti has bashed on regardless, as an Independent, taking a cricket bat as her symbol. This morning, in the steady drizzle, her followers rallied in a procession starting from MHADA at 11 am.

Almost 500 people participated in the rally. They covered different parts of Bandra East and ended at Santacruz via Khar.

Once on the roads, the rallyists swiftly regained energy. Even in this rainy, enthusiastically carrying tiny replicas of bats (in plastic) in their hands, the ‘Dhol-Tashe’ announced their coming and got them plenty of attention from  the public.

The police, however, had a rough time as they have been having for nearly a month. Approximately 300 vehicles consisting of taxis, autos, and bikes, were taking part in the rally and there was plenty of congestion , particularly at the Government Colony service road, as a result.  Security were also provided. A police van that follows the rally as for security purposes.

These two girls unwittingly became a part of the rally but they were happy, nonetheless. The caps they are wearing are courtesy of the candidate who had herself been removed from the Shiv Sena Party earlier in the day, for going up against the official party candidate. At least they kept off the rain!

Written by Journalism students Annet Anandraj & Martina Bhoya