News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Election » Mumbai draped in Congress colours

Mumbai draped in Congress colours

By Nithya Ramani in Mumbai
May 17, 2009 03:20 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

As Congress members won the Lok Sabha elections this year, party supporters and janta enjoyed and celebrated their victory with fire crackers and music. All were gathered outside the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai's Goregaon.

Out of a total of approximately 6,80,000 votes, Congress candidate Sanjay Nirupam and Bharatiya Janata Party's Ram Naik were going neck to neck. Nirupam finally won over Ram Naik from the Mumbai North zone with a narrow margin 5,000 votes.

On the other hand, Priya Dutt of Congress won with a whopping 3,19,352 votes leaving behind BJP's Mahesh Jethmalani with 1,24,797 votes. Also winning from the Congress side was Gurudas Kamat who won by a margin of 11,000 votes.

As the counting concluded, BJP contender Ram Naik made an early exit. When we asked him what he felt was the reason for losing the elections he said, "The MNS (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena) are solely responsible for my defeat."

On the other hand Priya Dutt and Sanjay Nirupam made a grand exit from the counting booth. Congress party members celebrated in a grand festive manner as the winners proudly walked out.

Supporters wore Sanjay Nirupam masks and swayed the tricolour with the Congress symbol. Also in the crowd with the other party supporters was Mrs Sanjay Nirupam who enjoyed and danced to celebrate the victory of her husband. She said, "I am very happy that he has won. It was quite expected but now that we know for sure I am very happy for him."

When Nirupam addressed the press he said, "I thank everyone who voted for me and I am very happy that I have won this elections. Now my only aim is to fulfill the promises I made during my rallies." After addressing the press he went on to the Sai Temple in Kandivli.

Priya Dutt did not stay back for long and made a short speech saying, "This is not just my victory but all of our victory. I thank everyone who voted for me and the Congress."

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Nithya Ramani in Mumbai

More like this