Polling Day

Arora narrates his story on Aam Aadmi Party

Clapping and rejoicing on Bijoy Gupta's birthday

In an avowedly apolitical Club, there has never been any room for discussions on political parties, affiliations or ideology. But today, being polling day, many members unwittingly revealed their political bias and argued over who they would like to see voted to the next Lok Sabha.
Nahid Khan declared that she and her family have all along been Congress supporters. Shekhawat insisted on voting for the kamar (or waist) when he meant kamal (or lotus), the BJP symbol – only to change that to bow-and-arrow, the Shiv Sena symbol. Many like Monthi Serrao, Bhaswati Bose and Geeta Sardhana pitched for “the party that stands for anti-corruption” and teased others with being banished by the broom.
“Of course, jhaadu lagana is the job of women!” Shekhawat argued.
“And making tea is the job of the men,” countered Bhaswati, obliquely pointing to BJP leader Narendra Modi’s tea boy background.
In between word drifted in on Jagmohan Papneja having cast his vote first thing in the morning. Another absentee, Srichand Arora was rumored to be on polling duty somewhere at Lokhandwala Back Road, which instantly got Yusuf Rassiwala worried that he must have already picked up a quarrel there.
“I know him very well,” said Yusuf. “He will insist on inking all five fingers of the people who go there to vote and that will create a big bawaal.”
Coincidentally, Arora walked into the Garden at that very moment, sparking speculation on whether he had already been packed off from the poll centre so early. But Arora had another story to narrate – about how he had encountered Mayank Gandhi, the local Aam Aadmi candidate being massaged by a lackey for hours on end in filthy surroundings. Everybody listened amused and did not utter a word – except for Yusuf who voiced his disbelief.
The surprise of the morning was Bijoy Gupta treating the Club with chocolate bars after the exercises. We learnt it was his birthday today and led by Shekhawat, we sang and clapped for him. Gupta is nearing 70, but has kept himself remarkably fit and healthy. We wish him many more years of good health and happiness.
Jagmohan Papneja:
Today marks the culmination of yet another successful demonstration of the strength of our democracy. The credit for this goes to the Election Commission. It must be congratulated for conducting the poll peacefully.