Imphal, February 05: The Congress party may feel upbeat over the one day poll campaign blitzkrieg led by the most recognizable name in the Congress party, Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, the president of the AICC, no less.

However not many were amused with the fall out of the high profile visit.

True, prior information was given that there would be traffic diversions during Madam's visit to Manipur, but with the rain pouring down in some parts of Imphal and drizzling in some, there was nothing to smile about as motorists were made to wait for a long, long time, before Madam safely reached the airport.

As police commandos and other security personnel regulated the traffic flow (read blocked roads and diverted vehicles), it was not surprising to see the people grumbling under their breathe.

�She is not even a Minister forget being the President or the PM.

She may be the leader of Mr Ibobi as the Congress chief but she is not the leader of Manipur.

Why the h...should I be made to wait till her Majesty passes by,� was the refrain of an elderly gentleman.

His identity remains unknown, but it was obvious that he is not a Congress supporter.

Poor George: Poor George Fernandes and his comrade in arms like Jaya Jaitely.

Time was when they drew the crowds during the time of the NDA Govt during their visit to Manipur, but today their visit was eclipsed by, who else, but Sonia Gandhi.

While the destinations of numerous reporters were either Kodompokpi or Hatta Kangjeibung, where Madam addressed the public, no one seemed to care that Fernandes and Jaitely were scheduled to attend a flag hoisting ceremony of its candidate at Sekmai today too (Samata).

A case of public memory being short, or the Gandhi magic?

Women's power: While Sonia Gandhi saluted the courage and guts of the Manipuri women, one gutsy elderly woman gave a first hand demonstration of what Manipuri women are made of, to the AICC chief today.

Ima Phajabi suddenly stepped into the middle of the road, while the convoy of Gandhi was passing through the road in front of the office of AIR to hand over a gift.

Why the elderly woman took recourse to such a bold step became clear after it was learnt that she was denied access to Sonia to hand over the same at Kangjeibung.

The name of Ima Phajabi may not register in the mind of Sonia, but her association with the AICC chief dates back to 2005, during the 52 days economic blockade.

Intent on urging Gandhi to develop NH-53 as the second lifeline of the State, Ima Phajabi, pawned her ornaments and went to Delhi to meet Sonia and present her case.

The gates of 10 Janpath finally opened after many attempts and as a scribe said, the footwork for developing NH-53 started after the meeting.

Confusion: Many schools remained closed today as there was a confusion over whether a bandh was called in connection with the visit of Gandhi or not.

There was no bandh because Gandhi is the president of the AICC and chairperson of UPA and does not hold any Ministerial post.