Traffic goes haywire

The rally threw traffic haywire near the venue. The stretch between Jayadev Vihar and Khandagiri Square witnessed huge traffic jam. Many motorists were forced to take U-turns and drive on the wrong side of the road to reach their destinations. Policemen stood as mere spectators while rules were being violated with impunity.

Free run

Anyone carrying a BJP flag or party symbol not only violated traffic rules, but also had their way with the policemen at the venue. One supporter, who had covered himself from head to toe with BJP’s lotus symbol, was seen moving around on his motorcycle honking much to the disappointment of others. He would not stop even after the policemen pleaded with him. 

Food talk

Many people complained about poor arrangements for food as the eating bay was set up nearly 3km from the venue. However, local vendors selling bananas, dahi-bara and gupchup at the venue made a kill as people flocked to catch a bite.

Foot-tapping numbers

BJP’s entertainment brigade led by cine and TV stars Sritam Das and Pinki Pradhan sang songs attacking the Naveen Patnaik government. One of the popular numbers, which drew maximum response from the ground, was: “To asan talmal, tam sarkar tamku asmbhal,” (Your throne is trembling, you are unable to control your own government). The song was also a sarcastic take on the government’s welfare measures.

Power cut

When the public address system at the rally venue stopped working briefly during Radharani Panda’s speech, BJP youth leader Bhrigu Buxipatra sought to remind the crowd that BJD government had ensured a power cut in the area and the system was running on generators.  However, the fault in the public address system was quickly sorted out.  

‘AIDS sarkar’

BJP’s Brajraj Nagar MLA Radharani Panda accused the Naveen Patnaik government of providing HIV-infected blood to people. The crowd responded saying: “Naveen sarkar is AIDS-affected.” She was referring to an incident at the Burla Medical College and Hospital about a year ago where two patients had complained of infected blood being injected into them from the blood bank. 

Verbal blows

After BJP president Amit Shah left the venue, party workers regaled the crowd with a foot-tapping number targeting Naveen Patnaik government. “Ladhei haba, satara barsa ra hisab dia (there will be a fight, you have to account for 17 years of your rule in the state).” Making a reference to the collapse of BJP-BJD alliance in the state in 2009 after nearly 12 years of running a government, the song accused Naveen of being a traitor who ditched them to suit his political ends.