Pune: Party activists have begun making enquiries for large orders of sweets at major sweet shops in the city as around 24 hours are left for results of the Lok Sabha elections 2019. With the exit polls as well as general public opinion inclining towards the victory of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Girish Bapat, party members have been enthusiastically placing orders and making enquiries about sweets.

“While we have not yet received any specific orders, several people have enquired about the rates of pedhas. So, we are definitely preparing to increase its production on Thursday, May 23. This is how it usually works. At the time of any election, we increase production as we know that winners will certainly be buying lots of sweets,” said Sanjay Chitale of Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale.

He added that the number of BJP supporters enquiring about sweets is much higher as compared to others. “We have had demands for making pedhas with ‘lotus’ (party symbol of BJP) imprinted on them. We will be preparing the sweets as per the demand,” Chitale said.

Sachin Gadve of Kaka Halwai Sweet Centre said, “Demand for pedhas and laddoos increases for sure. So, we are going to stock more of these at most of our outlets.”
 
With a high belief in their candidate’s success, BJP leaders and activists have already geared up to celebrate.

BJP City President Yogesh Gogawale said that there will be Assembly constituency-wise meetings of the party members on Wednesday, ahead of the counting day. They will be instructed on the activities for the big day. Similarly, those who will be at the counting centres will be guided. 

Arrangements will be made for the party members at the party offices across the city on Thursday.

BJP MLA Vijay Kale said, “Party members have already planned their celebrations for the big day in different areas of the city. However, we will not forget that several parts of the State are going through severe drought conditions while celebrating.”

Talking about celebrations, Congress leader Abhay Chhajed said, “It is not very difficult to get hold of sweets once the results are out. We have not yet placed any orders, we will be buying the mithai (sweets) on the day of the results itself.”

City prepares for counting day

• The preparation for the Counting Day has begun across the city
• “Soon after the exit polls were out, we began receiving orders for BJP turbans, Tricolour turbans, and also one big orange coloured flag. We are receiving repeated enquiries for ‘NaMo’ T-shirts again,” said the owner of Murudkar Zendewale and Fetewale Girish Murudkar.
• Kale added that while MLAs are not allowed at the counting centres, party members have been selected and trained for the day. 
• Congress leader Chhajed said, “We have trained party workers to be present at the counting venues on the day, arranged for the passes, made charts of the EVMs, etc.”