New Delhi: As news spread thick and fast that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was reluctant to take over as Prime Minister, scene outside her residence was one of mass hysteria today (May 18, 2004), utter chaos and confusion with party workers ready to lay down their lives if she did not relent.

In a scene that looked like straight from a Hindi film, former MP Gangacharan Rajput, who lost the recent Lok Sabha election from Hamirpur, stood atop a vehicle pointing a pistol on his forehead and holding a sword, threatening to commit suicide.

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Not to be left behind in a show of solidarity with Gandhi, Mahila Congress workers were writing letters with blood, requesting her to change her mind.

"Real" life seemed to be more like "reel" life as hundreds of Congress workers filled up Akbar Road, climbing over cars and trees, raising slogans against the Sangh Parivar and in veneration of their "Great Leader".

Even similar expression of support for Nehru and Indira Gandhi during rallies and 'dharnas' decade ago would pale before demonstration being held today in front of 10, Janpath, the official residence of Sonia Gandhi.

Cops were having a tough time trying to dissuade party workers from taking any untoward action.

Huge barricades and the posse of SPG personnel were pushing everyone away from the outer boundary of Gandhi's bungalow, but their efforts to bring down the emotional fit was yielding little results.