By IANS,
New Delhi : As tension mounted within the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) party headquarters here in anticipation of Lok Sabha election results Saturday, street vendors selling food and beverage outside did brisk business setting up shop at the crack of dawn.
Although the day started on a slightly dull note, by around 9.30 a.m. buzzing crowds of party workers and mediapersons flanked the gates of the party office in the Gol Market area of the capital. This, for the nearby shops and food vendors was the perfect business opportunity.
“We got good business during Vidhan Sabha elections and we expected the same today (Saturday). I and my son have been up since 4 in the morning making pakoras and tea for the crowds,” said Ashok, the owner of a tea stall nearby.
Some others were even aware of preferences of their potential customers.
Ashok Kumar, the owner of a confectionery and beverage store, had ordered for extra cartons of milk.
“Most of these police personnel are from Haryana and they love drinking milk. So today I have ordered for five extra cartons of milk,” Kumar explained.
“In fact usually I have only three freezers but today I have set up an additional freezer for cold water and cold drinks,” added Kumar.
A tent house, the Gulshan Tent House even put up a tent to accommodate the media and others outside the CPI-M office.
“We have put up the tent for everyone and it will stay till the evening. I was approached by one of the party members to put up the tent and it was set up last evening,” said Ram Prasad Sharma, the owner of the tent house.
Although the mood inside the CPI-M office was one of gloom since the party took a bashing in West Bengal, the vendors outside remained unperturbed and were elated that their business was thriving.
“I doesn’t matter to me if the Communist party wins or not,” said a tobacco shopkeeper here.