Wednesday, 13 November 2024
Wednesday, 13 November 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took part in a 3 km roadshow in Ranchi, the capital of poll-bound Jharkhand, with thousands of people lining both sides of the road to catch a glimpse of their leader.
The Prime Minister, seated atop a saffron-coloured open vehicle adorned with flowers and his cutouts, waved at the crowd, which chanted slogans like "Modi Zindabad."
Before the roadshow, the Prime Minister addressed two rallies — one in Bokaro and another in Gumla — where he promised all-round development for the state.
From children to adults, people expressed their excitement by capturing moments of the roadshow on their mobile phones.
People were seen atop their houses in the busy Ratu Road locality, shouting in joy while jostling to get a glimpse of their beloved leader.
Women at several places were seen clad in saffron saris with badges inscribed with the lotus pinned to their dresses. Many lit diyas, blew conch shells, performed "aartis" for the PM, and decorated their houses with mini bulbs, flowers, and diyas.
Rekha Devi, 44, of Ratu said, "I observed a fast today for this rally. I will break my fast now after having a glimpse of my leader. He has done tremendous work for the welfare of women."
Sanjay Singh of Ranchi said he was confident that the BJP would come to power in Jharkhand.
Vivek, 17, said, "I got goosebumps when I saw PM Modi on Ratu Road and this memory will be etched in my mind forever."
In view of the roadshow, prohibitory orders were enforced in Ranchi from 6 am to 11 pm. Additionally, the entry of all small and large goods vehicles was restricted in the state capital between 2 pm and 8 pm.
The district administration also declared a "no-flying zone" within a 200-metre radius of the stretch between Birsa Munda Airport and Sahjanand Chowk. Drones, paragliding, and hot air balloons have been banned in this area for the duration of the event.
Modi attacked the Congress, accusing that its 'shahi parivar' (royal family) is hell-bent on breaking the ST-SC-OBC unity to "snatch reservations under an evil design".
Addressing an election rally at Gumla, he accused the JMM-led coalition of looting the state's rich resources such as minerals, forest, sand and coal, putting 'Roti-Beti-Mati' (bread, land and daughter) at grave threat. He also accused the ruling dispensation of facilitating illegal immigration.
"The Congress knows that if STs, SCs and OBCs are united, they will pose a threat to the party's existence. This is the reason the Congress 'shahi parivar' is hell-bent on break their unity... They want to snatch reservations.
"The Congress is trying to pit one tribal community against another... Munda against Oraon, Lohra against Kharia, Kharwar against Korwa etc. with an agenda to break the tribal society's strength," he said.
Modi also promised that those who looted Jharkhand's resources and played with the future of its youth will not be spared and will be put behind bars.
Accusing JMM-led dispensation of selling Jharkhand's land, rivers and hills and earning crores of rupees by smuggling sand, he said, "Those who looted people's money will spend their lives in jail, they will have to return the money."
He alleged that the coalition leaders were not only looting resources but also even taking bribe for issuing birth and death certificates, and they have no right to remain in power.
There is a target to make 3 crore women as 'Lakhpati Didis', he said, adding that Ragi cultivation will be promoted and it will bring opportunities and prosperity to Jharkhand's farmers.
"It is Modi guarantee to fulfill all promises made in the BJP's manifesto including 'Gogo Didi' scheme (of providing Rs 2,100 financial assistance to women every month)," he said.
"The next five years are very crucial for Jharkhand's coming 25 years. Your one vote will contribute to making the state developed," he added.
Polling for the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly is scheduled to take place on November 13 and November 20, with votes to be counted on November 23.
