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The Election Day Results Chat

Several weeks before the world logged into the Rediff Election Results Day Chat, a dedicated team of journalists and software engineers led by George Iype had begun work to ensure its success. Eight Rediff staffers from Bombay travelled to Delhi last weekend, to join George as part of the three teams stationed at the BJP headquarters, the Congress HQ and the Maurya Cyber Club. The response amazed us and thanks to that, you may not have been able to get through at times. Our apologies for the same. For all those who missed the drama and the hijinks of the Great Political Tamasha, this transcript of a nonstop 50 hour chat, to be published in several parts, should provide fascinating reading.

Rediff@BJP Headquarters (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:27)

This is Rajesh Ramachandran. Expectation hangs heavily in the air. Everyone from the chaiwala to the think-tank is only speaking about numbers: "240 to 250 hai na!..." The security is beefed up and there is a separate enclosure for the cheerleaders. A shamiana has been put up, in fact, with two television sets on the podium....

Rediff Team, Congress HQ (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:27)

The tension at the Congress office is building up very slowly. Though the offices of all big leaders lie vacant, party workers and the media have already set up their teams. However, it is the various television channels that are making their presence felt here rather than Congress leaders themselves.

Rediff@BJP Headquarters (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:29)

We are awaiting BJP vice-president Sunder Singh Bhandari to be here any moment for a chat. The political situation here in Delhi is very fluid. The BJP leaders only hope that the numbers Doordarshan predicted are right...

Rediff Team, Congress HQ (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:31)

We have been here since 10:30 am. Things are still picking up at the Congress HQ at 24, Akbar Road. The maintenance staff, especially those manning the canteen, were the ones to first get into action -- looking forward to a day of hectic business perhaps. Generally, the mood is rather laidback, as of now.

Rediff@BJP Headquarters (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:32)

Yesterday the BJP decided it would keep the Jain Commission alive. The reason is obvious. If the party falls short of the magical figure by 20 to 30 seats the best bet are the regional parties. And any attempt to let the Jain Commission controversy die down would mean a possible rapprochment between Congress and the United Front, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam included....

Rediff Team, Congress HQ (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:34)

While the activity at Akbar road is primarily revolving round the television and good old Doordarshan, small-time leaders and hangers on keeping track of the trends in the garden outside.

Rediff@BJP Headquarters (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:40)

Sai thank you for the tip-off. Here it is almost as if the BJP is in power. For the first time BJP, a usually media-savvy party, has taken a policy decision that their top two leaders -- Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Kishinchand Advani -- will not attend any debate or television shows. Everything has been handed over to the second-rung leaders.

Rediff team@Congress HQ (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:40)

Apart from a few banners -- Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi -- and the few INC flags that adorn the garden outside, the mood continues to be sombre here at 24, Akbar road.

Rediff@BJP Headquarters (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:43)

Savera, here... Yet, there seems to be more excitement among the television crews than anyone else... Cameras and mikes are being tested and retested before the unblinking stares of the security people....

Rediff@BJP Headquarters (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:45)

Ever since the blasts in Coimbatore, the BJP has become highly security-conscious. Yesterday, passes were issued to all personnel, including sweepers, who will enter the BJP headquarters over the next three days...

Rediff@BJP Headquarters (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:47)

Today there was a body search and a complete check of all personal belonging. Metal detector gateways have been installed and security personnel have also been equipped with metal detectors...

Rediff team@Congress HQ (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:47)

As more and more media persons flock to the rather dull Congress office, the activity seems to be building up. No leaders have turned up yet. We are stationed in Jairam Ramesh's room, adjacent to the office of none other than Dr Manmohan Singh. Pranab Mukherjee's office is down the corridor... Mr Mukherjee should be here this evening.

Rediff team@Congress HQ (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:50)

Compared to the strict security arrangements at the BJP office, things are pretty cool here at 24, Akbar road. People are basking in the sun outside, waiting for some kind of activity.

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:54)

Out of 50, we are leading in 33 seats. We are exceeding the exit poll expectations. Along with our allies, we hope to have an absolute majority. Now you can ask questions....

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:56)

We will definitely cross 60 seats in UP. There is a possibility that the Congress and the BJP-Shiv Sena may get an equal number of seats in Maharashtra.

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:57)

In the immediate neighbourhood of Maharashtra, we are gaining in Daman and Diu. Uptill now trends reflect this. There is a likelihood that we might lose in some rounds but the postion is quite comfortable in the overall scenario...

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:58)

Akansha: When we muster a comfortable majority there is no scope for the UF or the Congress to stop us from forming the government.

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 2:59)

We are sure of getting a majority and we are awaiting the final announcement of the results.

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:2)

SP: The so-called enemies have been opposing BJP right from the beginning. The main reason is the concept of political working is basically different. We are more dependent on our organisation and our cadre and in pursuing a national political programme.

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:3)

We want to revive our the prestige and diginity of our mother land. So we have to take some unpleasnt and harsh decisions to uphold the diginity our country.

Rediff team@Congress HQ (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:4)

Congress leaders are expected to make an appearance in the evening.

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:4)

Suniti: It has definitely helped BJP and the AIADMK. That is why the trends in Tamil Nadu are in our favour.

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:5)

Generaly the Hindu votes have come to the BJP and its allies.

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:7)

Though the Hindu votes are divided on caste, generally there has been an inclination towards the BJP. The stronger we get, the castes will begin veering towards us and the casteist parties will lose their hold on the basis of distinctive politics.

Rediff team@Congress HQ (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:7)

Earlier in the afternoon, a concerned general secretary of the Mahila Congress made many a trip to our room to find out about the trends in Rajasthan

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:9)

The people are going to prove what the actual position is. We can't rely too much on exit polls.

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:11)

Any calculations made now are premature. If we don't get a majority then we will have to think about the situation. It's quite a hypothetical question now...

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:12)

About the DMK supporting the BJP... We will have to take into consideration the reactions of our electoral ally, that is, Jayalalitha.

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:13)

The other point is how much more aid we need from the parties. Just by being elected to the Parliament we are not going to get everybody's support. Question no.1 is whether we need support at all. No.2. What our electoral ally in Tamil Nadu thinks about it. These things have to assessed...

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:14)

Even if we get an absolute majority, we would like our allies to be in the government.

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:15)

With the allies, we will sit and chalk out a common minimum programme. And there ends all the rumours...

Rediff team@Congress HQ (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:21)

A group of small-time Congress leaders are watching the television outside our station here. The general feeling among them is that if the Congress gets less than 140 seats, Sonia Gandhi will be at the receiving end...

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:21)

The UP incident will help the BJP in the second round of the polls (February 21). The undemocratic actions of the governor in dismissing the Kalyan Singh government without giving Singh a chance to establish a majority on the floor of the House and the announcement of Shri Vajpayee to go on a fast unto death on this undemocratic step put new fervour both in the workers and voters for second round of polling in the very next day. And it is going to help BJP throughout the state...

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:23)

Murari: Normally speaking, the Election Commission has taken a view that wherever the polling has been recorded to be more than 90 per cent, there should be repoll. Unfortunately, the EC has not applied it to Sambhal.

And the high court also has not helped the BJP candidate in getting a repoll in more than 190 booths... So now we will await the results and decide on the future course of action...

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:25)

Murari: Well, these are his decision as a head of a state. And only constitutional remedies are open to us. And in the case of a governor, only the President can take a decision. There is no other course provided for either in the assembly or in the Parliament.

Sunder Singh Bhandari (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:27)

I am sure that the results will be quite satisfactory and we, along with our allies, will be able to form a government. Thank you for the queries...

Rediff@BJP HQ, Delhi (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:28)

That was Sunder Singh Bhandari, the BJP vice-president in charge of Uttar Pradesh.

Rediff team@Congress HQ (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:28)

Inside 24, Akbar road, the small stall selling Congress souveniers -- haath chaap rings, badges, pens, tri-coloured hair bands, khaki cloth -- is perhaps the most colourful spot. Beside him sits a chaatwalla, selling his aloo chaat... As for the leaders, they still have to arrive.

Rediff team@Congress HQ (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:35)

The Congress office still remains dominated by television crew members walking up and down eating chips and chana.

Rediff@BJP HQ Delhi (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:48)

We have now with us Mr Kidar Nath Sahni, veteran leader and president of the Delhi unit of the BJP.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:49)

We very clear that we would win all the seven seats in Delhi though the trends are not quite clear now.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:49)

In New Delhi we are leading by a margin of 8,000.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:51)

Delhi has always been a citadel of the BJP. It could be true that the migrant Punjabis are with us. But this could be true only 1950's and 60's. But the complexion of Delhi had a sea change over the years.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:51)

In Delhi, we are very well organised. Right from 1968, when we entered the municipal corporation, our work has been very impressive.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:52)

Since 1967 when Jan Sangh got a majority both in Municipal corporation and in the metropolitan council the people could see the dedication of the party and the work they did during those years...

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:53)

More and more people got attracted to the BJP. The good work that the Jan Sangh administration gave us a very sound foundation.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:54)

Since then, the party is growing. Not many people know that Delhi is adding half a million people every year. They are not refugees. On the contrary, they are from areas from where BJP has less presence.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:55)

The network we have in Delhi and the work the party is doing since it came in power in 1993 has strengthened our position.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 3:56)

Suniti: To ask this question is to do great injustice to both Vajpayee and Advani. This question is irrelevant as Shri Advani is the person who proposed the name of Vajpayee as the future prime minister of India.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:0)

Now even Mr. Choutala has declared that he will extend support to the Vajpayee. Same thing with other parties...

Mr Sahni: What is the significance of today's acquittal of L K Advani by the Supreme Court, in the hawala scam? Does it mean your party will have a rethink of who will be prime minister in case the BJP comes to power? Even if you don't, will Advani join the cabinet, or will he sit it out?

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:1)

By tomorrow the situation will be more concrete. This morning's paper also says that the Asom Gana Parishad may also follow suit...

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:2)

Actually we are neither rightist nor leftist. We believe in realism. Our policies are enunciated in our election manifesto. Whatever is useful for the country will be done...

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:2)

The focus of the nation from now onwards will be on the BJP instead on Congress.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:4)

As I said earlier, we don't believe in isms. The only ism we know is nationalism. The good of the people and the country is the only ism we know. And that ism will be the driving force for all our policies.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:5)

Sunit: I believe in the rustic common sense of the Indian. I hope that they do not want a hung Parliament. I hope they would be giving a clear majority to the BJP and the parties allied with BJP...

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:7)

I don't think that the Sonia factor had any effect. Maybe very slight. People were more curious and interested in having a loook at her rather than being influenced by her speeches...

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:8)

Akansha: One need not define nationalism which is very well defined. All know what nationalism is.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:13)

Mallu: The BJP has a clear and very definite policy in this regard. Our election manifesto is very clear on this point. We cannot place the security of our country in jeopardy. We have to prepared for all eventualities, including the one posed by our immediate neighbours who have acquired the nuclear potential.

George Verghese, Bureau Chief, UNI, New Delhi (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:16)

It is too early to make a comment.However it appears that there is a reverse trend this time. While Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are favouring a BJP alliance, the trend in Maharashtra and Rajasthan is pro-Congress.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:16)

Sunit: We will tailor our economic policies according to the needs of the country. Liberalising the existing rules regulations and laws so that indegenuous talent and resources could be used to the maximum. Foreign funds and companies are welco0me to build up our infrastructure as also such technology which we do not have at present would be most welcome...

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:18)

the alliance with Jayalalitha was not damaging to us. We were trying to make inroads into the south where people have misgivings about the BJP. We are no more untouchables with the people in all the four southern states.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:20)

If not considerably, we will still make our presence felt in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu is one such state where large-scale misinformation has been spread about the BJP. With the experiment made there we are succesful in dispelling such misgivings and misinformation.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:22)

As for the organisation and the number of seats. I think both go side by side. The organisation helps the party grow. The influence of the party will again help the organisation. They are mutually complimentary. I feel that the experiments we made in Andhra and Tamil Nadu will help us all round.

Kidar Nath Sahni (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:23)

I am sure that the situation is bound to develop that the BJP can form a government...

Rediff@BJP HQ, Delhi (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:32)

The atmosphere in the BJP office is buoyant. There is the sense of SOMETHING POSITIVE happening. Practically every television set on the premises is on, with small crowds hanging around them, hanging on the every word.

Rediff Team@Congress HQ (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:33)

The Congress spokesperson said the party does not, in fact, favour any kind of coalition arrangements at the Centre. But if the poll results throw up a hung Parliament, they will be forced to re-examine their stand and take unanimous decision.

Rediff Team@Congress HQ (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:37)

There seems to be some activity at last at the Congress office with the appearance of Sharad Pawar. Though Pawar has been waiting for the last 15 minutes to go live on DD.

Rediff@BJP HQ, Delhi (Mon Mar 2 1998 4:43)

And Mr Madan Lal Khurana who is fighting the Delhi Sadar seat is so sure of winning, that he's cancelling all appointments at the BJP HQ tomorrow, "because I have to lead my victory rally tomorrow." He was rather upset because, "My counting is going on there and I am here." After a brief breather at Mr Venkaiah Naidu's office, he will be rushing off to keep a check on the counting.

Rediff@BJP HQ, Delhi (Mon Mar 2 1998 5:43)

We have here with us Ashwini Kumar, the former president of Bihar unit and one of the seniormost leaders of BJP. Ashwini Kumar will give his reaction on the BJP winning the first declared seat in Elections 98.

ASHWINI KUMAR (Mon Mar 2 1998 5:45)

It is a good omen that the first seat has gone to BJP, that too snatched from a stalwart like Bangarappa, who was supposed to be invincible. I am confident that this trend will go on and BJP will get a comfortable working majority with its allies to form a stable government under an able prime minister at the Centre. You can ask questions...

ASHWINI KUMAR (Mon Mar 2 1998 5:48)

As a person who has spent most his career in Bihar, my assessment of Bihar is that the BJP-Samata alliance will improve its tally from 18 plus 6 that is 24 to minimum 34. It can go up to 40 also.

ASHWINI KUMAR (Mon Mar 2 1998 5:50)

Rigging is a part of the Bihar elections since long and if in the last assembly and parliamentary elections held under the chief ministership of Laloo Yadav, the BJP and its allies could improve their position from 9 to 24, I am confident this time it will further increase. In Bihar, whoever wins a seat wins it in spite of the rigging by the ruling party and malpractices in counting and declaring results...

ASHWINI KUMAR (Mon Mar 2 1998 5:51)

Amit: It was in my tenure that the last parliamentary elections were held in which BJP-Samata alliance was forged and when our seats increased from 5 plus 4, that is 9, to 24.

ASHWINI KUMAR (Mon Mar 2 1998 5:52)

So in the previous parliamentary election where there was a near total sweep by Laloo Yadav we could bring him and his allies to nearly half. And this time we hope to make him still smaller in number...

ASHWINI KUMAR (Mon Mar 2 1998 5:53)

As far as the masses, BJP has built up a huge mass base in the last four to six years..

ASHWINI KUMAR (Mon Mar 2 1998 5:56)

BJP doesn't believe in caste politics. Our appeal is much broader, and we appeal to all the sections of the population in the name of cultural nationalism and patriotic fervour. Even in caste-ridden Bihar where the Senas have been working on caste lines, the BJP has remained out of all this and forged ahead and tried to give the masses a homogenuous congenial living condition. `We are confident that when BJP comes to power in Bihar we will not base our politics on caste lines but on development of the state, which will benefit all the castes and especially the poorer sections of the society...