RJD supporters wave party flags on their way to Parivartan Rally at Gandhi Maidan on Wednesday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, May 15: For a change, the RJD today scored over the JD(U).

The credit goes to its disciplined supporters attending the Parivartan Rally. Unlike the JD(U) activists during the Adhikar rally last November, they did not hinder the traffic movement on roads. Despite dancing to the tunes of traditional music, they were courteous enough to give passage to vehicles.

The RJD leaders did their bit. They walked with their supporters instead of driving in to the venue in their AC cars. They were seen asking the rally enthusiasts to follow the instructions of police.

The leaders maintained a strict vigil on their supporters and ensured none of the rally participants misbehaved with anybody. While crossing the Dakbungalow roundabout, Akhtarul Iman, the RJD MLA from Kochadhaman in Kishanganj, instructed his supporters to march towards Gandhi Maidan without obstructing the vehicular movement.

In sharp contrast, the JD(U) supporters virtually had a free hand during the Adhikar Rally on November 4. Hardly any leader monitored their movement. The JD(U) MLA from Tarari, Sunil Pandey and MLC Hulas Pandey had enjoyed open jeep ride with their supporters.

Taking advantage of the situation, the Adhikar Rally supporters blocked roads by erecting bamboos and burnt tyres.

“I remember the streets looked chaotic during the Adhikar Rally as some rally supporters acted like hooligans. They did not allow me to cross Raja Bazaar despite repeated requests. But I could easily reach the Income Tax roundabout easily. There was some congestion but I did not see rally people stopping vehicles,” said Amit Kumar, a resident of Ashiana Nagar.

Apart from places like Beerchand Patel Path, Income Tax roundabout, Dakbungalow roundabout and Frazer Road, most other streets were unclogged. Not a single RJD supporter tried to stop vehicles, leave alone smashing car windshields — a common feature during Lalu Prasad’s rallies in the city in the yesteryears.

Autorickshaws and buses did not ply today in the city but inter-district buses were available at Mithapur bus stand. Taxi operators at Jaiprakash Narayan International Airport, Patna, claimed that the cab service was normal.

Till the RJD supporters reached Gandhi Maidan (the venue of Parivartan Rally), they were restrained. Once at the venue, some of them got excited. They screamed, whistled and made all kind of noises. Few climbed up the newly installed Gandhi statue on the western side of the Maidan.

A few embarked on the temporary stage made for media people and threw empty bottles.

Lalu and RJD MP Ram Kripal Yadav requested the supporters through the public address (PA) system to not to indulge in such activities. Even the police resorted to mild lathicharge to control them.

The Adhikar Rally stage was far better managed than that of the Parivartan Rally. The JD(U)’s dais was strictly manned and there were no chaotic situation. Everything went off smoothly.

The stage of RJD, on the other hand, was jam-packed. Anybody sporting white kurta-pyjama was allowed on the stage. When Lalu came to address the gathering, few people almost fell down from the stage.

During the Adhikar rally, only legislators and office-bearers were allowed on the stage.