You've have been betrayed 14 times, don't let this happen this time. On July 22, Lalu Yadav had said that if a Dalit's daughter became the prime minister, this whole country will get contaminated, so go and avenge this insult by voting her to power on April 16," declares a BSP candidate.
The convener of the programme introduces Salim Pervez and hails him for having the courage to stand opposite Laloo Yadav. While there is entertainment by singers before Mayawati's arrival and almost all the candidates get a chance to speak, the genteel-looking Pervez, the local candidate from Saran itself, does not get a chance to speak at all!
But, of course, it is Mayawati's show and Pervez hopes that with this rally, Behenji will help him increase his vote share. "If I am 5/10 before the rally, I expect to be 8/10 after it," he tells rediff.com the night before after a long day of campaigning.
Like perhaps with every rally, a checklist precedes Mayawati's arrival. Arrangements at the aerodrome, which is used here only as a helipad for politicians' choppers, include among other things, specifications about the stage and her chair for the rally, while also a toilet facility at the venue, and some specifics like a white hand towel and slippers in size 6.
Image: Indian political rallies are always colourful, and this one on a hot summer's day in the Hindi heartland was no different.
Also see: What is Mayawati really like?
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