Nirmal: It’s a 24-hour party in Nirmal. Outside Hotel Mayuri Inn is a massive crowd, despite a light drizzle.
All eyes are on one of the top floors — where Nirmal’s biggest guest, at least for the next 24 hours, is believed to be staying.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi arrived at 9.50 pm and headed to the hotel with an army of Congress members gathered outside.
There were impromptu press conferences and police was having a tough time controlling the crowds. A few Congress members were let inside by the wary Special Protection Group.
But for Nirmal residents, Thursday night will be special. “We have never seen so many people at our restaurant. We ran out of biryani at 9 pm,” said Srinivas, a waiter at a local eatery.
Autorickshaw drivers too made a killing on ‘Terrific Thursday’.
“I made Rs 2,000 today. Everyone is celebrating. This group of Congress supporters hired my autorickshaw and asked me to drive around the town. Hope Mr Rahul Gandhi comes here often,” said Suresh.
Nirmal rarely sees activity after 9 pm and many were caught unawares. “I saw the hoardings along the road. But I didn’t know he would stay right next to my shop. I took leave from work today. But tomorrow is going to be the big day. My family and I are going. This is like going to the movies,” said a shopkeeper.
