In 2004, Vir Bhoomi, the memorial for Rajiv Gandhi, was thronging with people on 21 May, the day he was assassinated.

The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance had just come to power and although the PM had been named earlier, ministers were to be sworn in on May 22.

As a result, everyone who wanted/aspired to be a minister was present at Vir Bhoomi well before 6 am, when the programme begins every year.

Ten years later, on 21 May 2014, following a massive electoral defeat of the Congress, Sonia Gandhi along with Priyanka, Robert and Rahul arrived at Vir Bhoomi at 6.15 am.

Priyanka’s mother in law, Maureen, reached before her. But as she headed, as if to the manner born, for the VIP enclosure, she found her path blocked by burly SPG men and would have been subjected to the ignominy of being chased away, until some MPs who recognised her, intervened.

Usually, the President of India times his arrival with the PM and Sonia Gandhi. This year, Pranab Mukherjee arrived at 6.50 am, well after the chanting of ‘shanti mantra’ had started. Congress leaders said calls were made by Rashtrapati Bhavan security ascertaining a respectable crowd was present before the President set out.



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