It is not a very big gathering -- 15,000 to 20,000 people perhaps. But it is an extremely responsive crowd.

There is much song and dance and merrymaking before Pawar's arrival. Three artistes singing Yeh desh hai veer jawano ka get the crowd on its feet, swirling phetas (traditional Maharashtrian headgear) in the air and whistling madly.

Speakers trying to engage the crowd with speeches on farmers' woes and the cooperative movement are shouted down.

No one but Pawar will do.