Crowds started gathering in front of Yadav’s residence in Saifai. Mulayam Singh Yadav in Etawah district since early Saturday.This white building currently serves as the political headquarters Dimple Yadavwho is competing for the general election from nearby constituencies Mainpuri. An endless stream of visitors, party worker Activists entered and exited the heavily guarded gates in anticipation of Dimple’s 10am departure for her constituency.
By Saturday, however, the wait seemed never-ending. A day before campaigning for the third phase of elections comes to an end, she is busy fielding calls, holding booth-level meetings and responding to any crisis.
The waiting room was like a train platform, changing every half hour, one group doing their job and then being replaced by another group of party members. A life-size portrait of party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, who died in 2022, hangs on one side of the room, which has been transformed into an altar of sorts. Supporters young and old took off their shoes to pay tribute to ‘Netaji’, as he was fondly called, and let their selfies be clicked. During these photo sessions, endless cups of tea kept the visitors busy, many of whom had moved to the vast grounds where they were accompanied by several playful puppies and a few peacocks and other birds, one family members revealed.
Rakhi Devi is a young party worker who came here all the way from Deoria. Activity “Didi” is a word she uses to call Dimple, who is more commonly called “Bhabhi” by party workers. “Some of us came to campaign for her. We have been in Mainpuri for the past week and will return to Deoria on Sunday after campaigning. The ‘mahaul’ is very positive for the Indian group, not only here but also in In eastern Uttar Pradesh, people have finally seen through the lies of the BJP,” she said. Rakhi was there to provide guidance for the next phase of her campaign back in Deoria.
Another team of SP supporters from Rajasthan are waiting to meet Dimple. They brought the traditional Rajasthani fiddle chunni as a gift for her.
At 2.30pm, Dimple’s media manager walked into the room, sighed in disappointment, and announced that she couldn’t meet anyone that day because she was busy with meetings. When the room finally became available, the manager said Dimple was on his phone almost the whole time. “She has a jan sabha at 4 pm and a roadshow at 6 pm. Before she leaves, she has to take care of various poll-related matters. Meetings with senior party leaders and the government have been going on non-stop. Everything There’s no end,” he said.
Finally, at 4 p.m., Dimple launched his first campaign plan of the day. The house fell silent as members and staff retired for the afternoon. Activity will pick up again around 10pm, when Dimple is expected to return for the night.
By Saturday, however, the wait seemed never-ending. A day before campaigning for the third phase of elections comes to an end, she is busy fielding calls, holding booth-level meetings and responding to any crisis.
The waiting room was like a train platform, changing every half hour, one group doing their job and then being replaced by another group of party members. A life-size portrait of party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, who died in 2022, hangs on one side of the room, which has been transformed into an altar of sorts. Supporters young and old took off their shoes to pay tribute to ‘Netaji’, as he was fondly called, and let their selfies be clicked. During these photo sessions, endless cups of tea kept the visitors busy, many of whom had moved to the vast grounds where they were accompanied by several playful puppies and a few peacocks and other birds, one family members revealed.
Rakhi Devi is a young party worker who came here all the way from Deoria. Activity “Didi” is a word she uses to call Dimple, who is more commonly called “Bhabhi” by party workers. “Some of us came to campaign for her. We have been in Mainpuri for the past week and will return to Deoria on Sunday after campaigning. The ‘mahaul’ is very positive for the Indian group, not only here but also in In eastern Uttar Pradesh, people have finally seen through the lies of the BJP,” she said. Rakhi was there to provide guidance for the next phase of her campaign back in Deoria.
Another team of SP supporters from Rajasthan are waiting to meet Dimple. They brought the traditional Rajasthani fiddle chunni as a gift for her.
At 2.30pm, Dimple’s media manager walked into the room, sighed in disappointment, and announced that she couldn’t meet anyone that day because she was busy with meetings. When the room finally became available, the manager said Dimple was on his phone almost the whole time. “She has a jan sabha at 4 pm and a roadshow at 6 pm. Before she leaves, she has to take care of various poll-related matters. Meetings with senior party leaders and the government have been going on non-stop. Everything There’s no end,” he said.
Finally, at 4 p.m., Dimple launched his first campaign plan of the day. The house fell silent as members and staff retired for the afternoon. Activity will pick up again around 10pm, when Dimple is expected to return for the night.
