RR campaigns...

Ranchi, April 17: She came, she sang, but did not conquer.

Bollywood actress Mahima Chaudhry, who was in the capital today to campaign for Congress candidate from Ranchi Subodh Kant Sahay, might have been able to draw a crowd, but she could not sway opinions. The electorate is firm — no matter who comes to convince them, they are not to be influenced. Their discretion will be the final deciding factor.

The Pardes girl, accompanied by television actor Ronit Roy, participated in a road show at AG More locality in Doranda to drum up support for Sahay.

People jostled for space, with many climbing atop rooftops and scaling walls of public toilets, to catch a glimpse of the star. Mahima, who was clearly impressed by the overwhelming response, told the gathering: "I cannot sing but for you, I will sing today." The Bollywood beauty then crooned a line from a famous song from Pardes: "Yeh Duniya Ik Dulhan, Dulhan Ke Mathe Ki Bindiya, Yeh Mera India".

As the crowd burst into a loud applause, the star threw garlands of genda (merrygold) at them.

The actress urged the audiences to vote for "Subodh bhaiya". Ronit Roy of Kasauti Jindagi Ki and Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi fame also heaped praise on "vikas purush" Sahay. But voters are not to be pursued.

Shyam Kumar, who had been waiting to see the actress for two hours, said, "I am here to catch a glimpse of Mahima. Nothing more than that. I will take my own decision on whom to vote. No one can influence me."

Other by-standers echoed similar sentiments as they made their way back to home.

After the road show wrapped up, Roy looked too exhausted. Marathon campaigning in rural hinterlands of Chandil (in Kurku haat and Nimdih areas) had taken a toll on him and he expressed his desire to relax in the hotel much, to the discomfort of local Congressmen, who wanted to host road shows in few other localities.

"I need at least one hour to get re-charged after taking a bath. I have not eaten properly since the morning and am really tired," he was heard telling a Congress manager.

Mahima too opted to relax at the same hotel after hectic campaigning in villages of Chandil that fall under Ichhagarh assembly segment of Ranchi Lok Sabha seat.

"Madam darwaja hi nahin khol rahin hai (Madam is not opening door of the room)," said a woman Congress activist, who was supposed to take care of Mahima during her stay here.