Early Diwali at BJP office despite poll dampener

Himanshu came to Delhi from Gurugram to the BJP headquarters, holding a BJP flag, a distance of 34 kilometres. All to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi address party cadres.

"We will form government in both the states," says the 21-year-old ardent BJP follower for whom seats don't matter.

Nivedita, who didn't give her last name, was clicking selfies with the stage that was erected where from Modi would address them. When reminded that BJP may not be in a position to form the government on its own, this is what she had to say: "Stop spreading negativity. We have the 'Chanakya' with us. It's BJP who will form the government." She was referring to Amit Shah.

Defying the sombre mood in the afternoon, by Thursday evening, the BJP office wore a celebratory look. BJP flags, floodlights, patriotic songs - the stage was set to claim the day.

Shah, Nitin Gadkari, J.P. Nadda, Harsh Vardhan- it was a dazzling ensemble of attendance that waited for Modi, their captain to address them. The smiles, the hugs among leaders, the cheer defied apprehension that BJP would fail to form the government in Haryana.

In fact, in a not so subtle tweet Shah claimed the BJP would govern the state for a second time, that sparked off the jubilation.

"This year Diwali arrived early for us," smiled Himanshu as he seemed to be swinging with the tempo of the patriotic song playing.IANS