He is a superb orator. And people get spurred. But while many hit the bottle guardedly in his dry state, where ironically, booze is easily available, Bangalore let itself go tipsy on Sunday. So, when Modi spoke to Bangalore, the wine stores and bars rejoiced. Right from morning, watering holes near Palace Gutahalli, Vasanth Nagar, Mekhri Circle, Shivananda Circle and Seshadaripuram were overflowing with men in revelry.
With Sachin hangover prevailing in many minds, and no curious feel that change could be in the hands of NaMo, these were men who had a chance and they just ‘bottoms downed’ it.
Coming from various parts of the state, right from - Hoskote, Tumkur, Mysore, Davangere, Bijapur, Dharwar, Mangalore - men flocked to party.
According to the manager of a bar and restaurant in Gutahalli, business increased three-fold.
“The entire day we had people coming in huge numbers and there was excitement with NaMo matra heavy in the air. Such days are less, and because of the hype around Modi, we had one such day,” he said.
When City Express asked a group of 15-20 men, shouting his praise, they were united in drunk excitement. “He is the PM...there is no doubt. Namma NaMo...Namma NaMo,” they raised their glasses in unison.
What was significant to note was that none had any reason to raise him to the PM’s post, just a drunken following where reason had been smothered by the intoxication. Cops and traffic police were in huge numbers, but there was nothing that they had to do.
People came lawfully, drank lawfully and departed ‘hic-fully’. Unlike Gujarat, which has to hide its drunken spirit within four walls.
“The spirit was high and so there was fear that the supporters of the other party might be provoked. We had a few cases in the afternoon, but then they were tempered down. We were prepared for such situations. Also, the police deployment was heavy, so we did not have much to worry,” said the cashier at a bar near Vasanthnagar.
Unlike these regular bars, the pubs had a usual day. “We did not see much business. It was a day as usual,” said a waiter at a pub near Sankey Road, a classic reflection of aam admi’s preference.