Eye witness: Aaj Tak's Senior Special Correspondent's take on Rahul's first meeting after taking charge as Cong V-P
It was an occasion no Congress leader would have liked to miss.
Indira Gandhi's iconic picture where she is sitting in her office and the Congressmen standing in front waiting to lap up any command from her may have faded from public memory. But the AICC office in New Delhi witnessed one such event on Wednesday when Rahul Gandhi took charge as the Vice President of the party.
It was an occasion no Congress leader would have liked to miss. With a battery of mediapersons in attendance, senior leaders Digvijaya Singh, Renuka Chowdhry, Sheila Dikshit, Ghulam Nabi Azad and many others made a beeline (literally) to meet the potential future prime minister.
Security drill for the 15-minute appearance was too much. At 2 pm, the entire AICC office was taken over by the Special Protection Group who numbered more than 60. After intense checking, mediapersons were herded into a room at 3 pm. There was no chair for Rahul in the media room to sit - enough hint that he will not take any question. And the SPG men were deployed inside the room as well to keep a vigil.
Wearing a jeans and his trademark white kurta, the Congress scion made his entry at 5 pm. Sixty-five AICC office bearers had come to meet him. It was Rahul's first meeting with party leaders after taking charge as vice president. Sporting an unflinching smile, he met them briefly. There was certainly an aura of sycophancy as praises for Rahul's speech at Jaipur flew thick and fast. In the emotionally surcharged set-up, Congress leaders expressed their happiness to work with him. And like a true general, Rahul promised to meet them soon in future.
Rahul's room at the AICC office was decorated with flowers. A laptop and the usual paraphernalia were also placed in the room.
Later he met the press very briefly but did not take any question. However, when pestered about his reaction on Justice Verma panel's report on tougher laws for crimes against women, Rahul said, "I do not want to give specific answer to any specific question."
Around 300 policemen were deployed for security outside the AICC office. While Rahul was busy meeting the leaders, Congress workers shouted 'Rahul Gandhi zindabad' slogans outside the office. Rahul waved at them. And thus came the end of the much anticipated meeting.