Cars parked near the BJP and (right) RJD offices on Beer Chand Patel Path in Patna on Monday. Pictures by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Oct. 10: The BJP headquarters in the state capital was buzzing with activities today. The RJD office, a stone’s throw away, was abuzz as well. While the political workers prepared for different yatras of their leaders, the road that houses the offices of both the parties — Beer Chand Patel Path — came alive again.

A fleet of SUVs parked outside the BJP office reflected the flurry of activities inside. Party workers, clad in long white kurtas, were too busy to respond even to the queries of reporters. They were getting ready for L.K. Advani’s Jan Chetna Yatra that begins tomorrow. “Bahut kaam hai. Kal ki taiyari me koi kasar nahi chhuthna chahiye (There is lot of work. No effort can be spared for tomorrow),” said one of them as he rushed out.

The scene outside the RJD office was a little quieter. Inside, the party workers were as busy as bees. One of them said: “Subah bohut bhir tha. Bohut gadiyan thi. (There was quite a crowd in the morning. There were lot of cars).”

The RJD office that had fallen silent after the defeat of the party in the Assembly elections last year was vibrant today.

A source said the scene was not as exciting as it used to be during the elections. “It is, however, lively. The stage is set for a clash,” he added.

Though a “clash” is unlikely, a sense of competition is palpable among the members of both the parties.

A BJP worker said: “Lalu’s Raj Bhavan march cannot affect Advaniji’s grand programme in any way. People have rejected RJD a long time back. Their drama will not have much effect.”

RJD workers, however, refuted the assertion of their rivals. They claim history is on their side.

An excited party worker almost shouted: “Whatever Laluji does makes an impact. It was Lalu who had stopped Advani’s earlier yatra to Ayodha (in 1990). People still remember it.”

The enthusiasm of the RJD workers has not gone unnoticed. A tea-seller outside the party office said: “Since their defeat in the polls last year, the RJD office has been very quiet. However, a decent crowd has gathered here since yesterday.”

Not everyone is eager about the flurry of activities, though.

A citizen at a nearby tea stall said: “Anna Hazare had started the fight against corruption. Now, BJP has appropriated it. All this is just politics.”