Shimla, Sep 12 (Inditop.com) There is a ‘blue wave’ sweeping through Shimla these days. The signature blue turbans of the leaders and supporters of Punjab’s ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, here for a ‘Vichar Baithak’ (brainstorming session), have transformed the queen of hills into a “mini Punjab”.
Top Akali brass, including Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is the deputy chief minister, are here for the two-day session that began Friday at the Peterhoff hotel.
More than 100 leaders have been deliberating on party issues behind closed doors since Friday morning.
They have been accompanied by a battery of government officials, security personnel and personal staff.
The leaders, who were in the hotel the entire day, stepped out late Friday evening. Then a sea of blue turbans could be seen in the town.
“It’s literally a ‘blue wave’ in the town these days. Everywhere you can see blue turbans — be it in the markets, restaurants or eating joints. Akali turbans have even outnumbered Himchali ‘topis’ (caps),” state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ganesh Dutt said.
“One can easily tell from a distance that the hectic session of the Akalis is over and they are now relaxing and enjoying the cool environs of the hills,” he said.
The entire half-km stretch between the venue of the session (Peterhoff hotel) and Oberoi’s five-star Cecil hotel, where all the leaders have been staying, have been transformed into a ‘mini-Punjab’, according to locals.
“It is literally a mini-Punjab here these days. The entire area has been converted into a Punjabi-dominated locality. Everywhere you see people wearing turbans — from security guards to personal staff,” said Jai Singh Thakur, who lives near Peterhoff Hotel.
Harcharan Bains, media adviser to the chief minister, said: “It’s good that the Akalis have turned the town blue. In fact, they are bringing ‘blue revolution’ by deliberating on issues that can strengthen the fiscal health of Punjab.”
The brainstorming session will conclude Saturday evening.
