These were the feelings among Congressmen of all hues on the day following Rao's resignation on Sunday. Not since the days following Rajiv Gandhi's assassination has the capital's high-security zone seen so much Congress activity.
The tree-lined avenues housing some of the country's top politicians were a beehive of activity with vehicles, including bullet-proof ones, zipping along wth eager-beaver securitymen following. It appeared that almost every Congress leader of some standing was on the move. But their vehicles were often overtaken by vehicles carrying not a little zealous mediamen.
As the countdown began to select a replacement for Rao, every Congressman of some standing was moving around, meeting colleagues who till yesterday were arch rivals, at least going by their public posturings. The long-forgotten Gandhi topee (cap) was pulled out, dusted, and worn by people like Shankarrao Chavan. He was also seen wearing the Nehru jacket.
The redoubtable Sitaram Kesari has not been keeping well, but that did not deter him from meeting some senior Congressmen, dressed in a starched, sparkling white attire, perhaps anticipating his possible ascension to the party president's chair.
Motilal Nehru Marg, on which the outgoing Congress president lives, is not very far from 10, Janpath, another major power-centre for the Congress, as it houses Sonia Gandhi.
Throughout the day video cameramen and press photographers were scurrying from one location to another, trying to capture Congressmen entering or leaving the two houses.
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It was an emotional Rajesh Pilot who emanated from Rao's residence. His meeting went like this: As soon as Pilot entered Rao's room, the latter said: Come, Rajesh, sit. For nearly ten minutes both did not speak, and the heavy silence turned into emotion. Pilot has been one of the foremost critics of Rao.
At another location, Ghulam Nabi Azad was seen sitting on his lawn, talking to Balram Jakhar over a soft drink. Till Rao resigned, the ranks of loyalists and dissidents was clear; everybody knew who was who. But today, things were different.
There was considerable praise for Rao from even dissidents and their cohorts. All said and done, they felt, he was the best Prime Minister the country has had; look, he solved the Kashmir problem, Punjab problem, he brought the economy on the rails, didn't he?
Sympathy for the patriarchal figure was evident in several quarters.
At Pilot's residence on Akbar Road, several leaders turned up, some of them not very favourably disposed towards each other, but arriving simultaneously in different vehicles. Bhajan Lal was leaving when both V N Gadgil (AICC spokesman) and Suresh Kalmadi (CPP spokesman) arrived separately.
Soon Ajit Jogi too trooped in. Pilot confabulated with both separately, shuttling between the drive-way, office, drawing room and the lawns.
There was considerable activity too at the AICC headquarters. Jagannath Mishra was around; Devendra Dwivedi's small room was crammed with journalists. Partymen were seen talking in groups; one of them said: He was not too bad, after all. He is like our father; thodasa kharab lag raha hai (feeling a bit bad about the his resigning).
Several leaders from outside Delhi arrived by evening flights. Somebody offered at the AICC office that Sharad Pawar was unwell, but too arrived as he would not like to meet today's crucial meeting.
A K Antony also arrived late to a capital discussing his name as one of the contenders for the post.
Meetings were reported to be continuing late into the night.