New Delhi: Dr Harkirat Singh Kapoor, a pediatric doctor from East of Kailash, can barely hold back tears as he hugs those who have gathered outside the Aam Aadmi Party headquarters in New Delhi.
For two months, Dr Kapoor locked his clinic in Amar Colony and spent hours going door-to-door canvassing for Saurabh Bhardwaj, a 34-year-old engineer and the AAP candidate from Greater Kailash, against Ajay Malhotra, son of veteran BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra.
He suddenly breaks into Bhangra as the loudspeaker at the AAP office declares that Mr Bhardwaj is consolidating his lead. Salim Khan, a union leader from Kota in Rajasthan, joins in the impromptu dance. (Kejriwal sweeps Sheila right out of her constituency)
"I have been working for AAP for months and have waited for today when it will be our moment," says Khan. "I will now work to raise the AAP in Rajasthan," he says.
Since morning today, drums have not stopped for a moment at the AAP headquarters. With each passing moment, more people pour in the narrow lane; some wearing the white cap, others with brooms in their hands. (Bewaqoof hain na, says upset Sheila Dikshit)
Perched on a gate nearby are three women who haven't stopped dancing and waving the party flag: a white cloth with pictures of Arvind Kejriwal and a big broom on it.
"Our candidate from Sadar has won," shouts out Pushpa, a homemaker from Sadar Bazar area. Her friends can barely hold on to her to make sure they don't fall off the wall.
With results still coming in, I ask Mrs Bhatnagar, a homemaker and tutor, on how she would feel if AAP is not able to form the government in Delhi. "The BJP has been winning from Janakpuri and I wanted to try someone new. So I voted for AAP. Even if it can't form the government, it will ensure that the BJP will be on its toes with AAP in the opposition."
"Whether we make the government or not we have already won," adds retired colonel Anil Malhotra, "AAPs victory is a wake-up call to leaders across India to deliver on promises as the party will now take them on across the country."
That could be the heady feeling of success talking, but then again, both the BJP and the Congress had written off AAP and even questioned if it was a party. Most exit polls also seemed to have grossly undervalued the party and the mood in the nation's capital.
Whether it forms the government or sits in the opposition, AAP, born out of a massive anti-corruption movement, has its work cut out. There are big expectations. Today, however, the 'Aam Aadmi' is celebrating on the streets, aware that they have just made history.
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