First Political Assignment

This had to be a long hard day, with the biggest and the most noisiest democracy getting into action. The verdict had pretty much trickled in and celebrations were not far behind. I reached the All India Congress Committee's office around 9:15am, hoping to see some action. As I gingerly paced around, I could see the reporters were milling about, with nobody having a faintest clue about what to do. I saw some "famous" television reporters, whiling their time. This was something new, since these were the people you and I have grown up observing. About 9:30AM, Oscar Fernandes arrives, and immediately chancing upon the opportunity, I introduce myself. I ask him some questions few minutes later, and file a liner.

Walking around, I meet few fellow journalists who I already know. They take me around, show me the media centre, which is surprisingly air-conditioned, and a waiter is serving chilled buttermilk to those watching TV inside. Impressed, I walk out to take a tour myself, meet my colleague, and we both get to work. There aren't many people to catch, since the biggies were still away. Meanwhile, the fire crackers outside continue, and camerapersons surround the frenzied group, taking pictures, quotes. It is so hot that temperatures touch 41 degrees in the shade, someone tells me.

I meet a reporter from Kathmandu Post. He walks up to me, asks me if I am Indian, and we begin talking. He tells me this is fascinating but he hasn't had much to do. I smile when I hear that and our conversation is interrupted by the whirring of car engines and sudden pick up of activity around us. It is Mohsina Kidwai. We all rush in, to speak to her, and I am the first reporter to ask her a question. She tells me the Muslim votes were in favour of Congress. And, as she speaks, cameras are shoved from behind, with my neck ticking from left to right. A reporter tries to get too close, and I hit his mike with my hand. I begin pushing to get some space, and wriggle out from there, with my neck hurting from all the shoving.

The day continued with lot of pain and sweat, fighting to speak to Ambika Soni, Gulam Nabi Azad, and trying to get into the fortress that is 10 Janpath. All roads lead to Delhi. Phew...