Date:30/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/30/stories/2008113060071600.htm

National

He kept his cool through 40-hour ordeal

Meena Menon

NCP MP Gaikwad Patil had no idea what was in store when he walked into the Taj

MUMBAI: When Jaisinghrao Gaikwad Patil, Nationalist Congress Party MP from Beed in Maharashtra, checked into the Taj Mahal Hotel at 9.30 p.m. on Wednesday, little did he know that he would not leave his room for the next 40 hours or so.

Mr. Patil, who had come to the hotel as part of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Subordinate Legislation, was rescued at 2.15 p.m. on Friday by the National Security Guard and the police. Mr. Patil had arrived from Bhubaneswar with the team of MPs on Wednesday night.

Talking to The Hindu, a calm and unfazed Mr. Patil said, “Around 9.45 p.m. the hotel security called me and said I should stay in the room as they were expecting a terror attack. I immediately locked the door and shut myself in. I did not hear much of what happened outside.” While the airconditioning and television were switched off, power was on.

He was on the third floor of the old building which bore the brunt of the attack. “I ate from the mini bar and was in touch with my relatives and family,” he said. “We were supposed to stay here till November 29 in any case.” He said, “There was no reason to be scared, I knew I would be eventually rescued.” Mr. Patil later left for his hometown.