cHyOrK: >>

Friday, May 05, 2006

For a little while, i thought i was at NDP.

The more than 40,000-strong(my own humble estimation) supporters at the stadium. The high-level of participation from the huge crowds. The repeated cheers and resounding applause. The waving of the flag. And also, the reciting of the pledge at the end of the programme.

--But it wasnt at the National Stadium, it was at Serangoon Stadium. But mind you, can you ever imagine having the entire stadium overpacked, such that the entire field and the track are all saturated with standing people? Such that thousands and thousands have to stand outside the stadium, and some could only hear but cannot see?

--The flags were red and white. But it wasnt the S'pore flag. It was the Workers' Party flag. People were waving throughout the rally, especially during times when the candidates hit the tempo and connect totally to the people's hearts. I, too, bought one for myself, and waved with all the others.

--And almost everyone was chanting "Worker's Party! WOrker's Party!" at certain points during the 3-hour rally. The chanting business got so high and out of control at 10pm, after the recitation of the pledge, which is something initiated by the WP leaders. Those who weren't present certainly wouldnt have an idea of how it was. I was really surprised at how united everyone was. THe unison chants were deafening, and I seemed to be an alien there for keeping quiet. As i was inside the stadium, it took me around 25 minutes before i was able to hit the stadium exit. And guess what? The chanting kept on for the entire time! Imagine the scene of ppl moving and shouting "Workers' Party! Workers' Party!", I certainly got a feel of what it was like to be in a demonstration... It should be rather similar, i believe. And interestingly, there were also "Ole Ole Ole" cheers after the rally ended...When someone started it, the rest of the supporters would sing it immediately, and very soon, you will feel as though Singapore had won the World cup. Ok, perhaps you will feel as though WP had won the elections. Everyone was really high-spirited and smiley and enthusiastic.

Hardly had i seen so many people, other than NDP. Not even in a typical heavenly celebrity's autograph session. More than a concert audience.

But most of all, I admire LowThiaKhiang. Not just because he is also a fellow Teochew Low, but all because he's a great speaker, a radical contributor as a voice, and as a friendly and well-liked MP.

But will voters show him the support as much as how they showed him today at the rally for Aljunied GRC? Will the high-profile Gomez issue serve to bring in more votes or cause the party's Team A to suffer more losses? Will sylvia lim prove to be the strongest new-comer among all the other parties' newbies? Will the voters bite the upgrading carrot instead, which is so alluring and which is also written on letters sent to them today by the ruling party? So how will Aljunied GRC's contest turn out, given that its the MOST well-prepared (5 years in the making) fight by both parties?

Answers out in less than 24 hours.

人生是黑白的.
11:59 PM <3

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