The Hindu Business Line : Moods of jubilation & despondency

IT'S CELEBRATION TIME: Congress supporters celebrating outside the Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi's residence in the Capital on Thursday. -- Ramesh Sharma

New Delhi , May 13

IT was a mood of contrasts at the headquarters of the two main contenders for power at the Centre. While the smell of success was evident early at 24, Akbar Road, the headquarters of the Indian National Congress (INC), a short distance away it was despondency at 11, Ashoka Road the headquarters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

While through the day there were crackers, sweets and music at the Congress office, at the BJP headquarters there were hardly any celebrations, just a desperate attempt to put up a brave face.

As the day progressed, the results poured in and it became clearer that the Congress was emerging stronger, the velocity and intensity of the crackers being burst as also the momentum of the drum-beaters increased much in the manner the Sensex moves on a good day.

Inside the party headquarters, not only were politicians of all hues available to give their expert comments on the elections results, but party workers were also busy congratulating each other and carrying posters of former Prime Ministers, Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi.

As the numbers swelled a mini-industry came up almost from nowhere to cater to the thirst and hunger-pangs of the growing numbers of supporters. However, by evening with the time inching forward for the crucial Congress Working Committee meeting, which was scheduled to be attended by Mrs Sonia Gandhi, the security agencies went about their job of sanitising the entire place.

In contrast at the BJP office, journalists outnumbered partymen. The only BJP leaders who visited the party office were Mr Arun Jaitley and Ms Sushma Swaraj. The party's top brass was said to be huddled together at the residence of President, Mr Venkaih Naidu followed by a meeting at the residence of the outgoing Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

However, later the party spokesperson, Mr M.A. Naqvi briefed reporters and stated that the BJP will sit in the Opposition.