“One of the largest political rallies in post-Independence India,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Assam’s Kokrajhar town on Friday, referring to the mammoth gathering that thronged Jangkritai Fwtar field to hear him and celebrate the signing of the new Bodo Peace Accord.
“From my chopper, I beheld only people, as far as my eyes could see. I’ve seen a lot of rallies in my political and public life but I have never seen such a large spectacle anywhere,” Modi said.
Those who were part of the gathering also looked around in wonder. “Unprecedented turnout”, said Padmasingh Narzary, 32, who came from Gohpur in Biswanath district, and Motilal Basumatary, 48, of Chirang district, 400km and 90km from here.
Sources in the BJP and its ally, the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), said the turnout had surpassed their official estimate of five lakh. Senior BJP leader Santanu Bharali said, “Security people told me that the 17 lakh square feet field was packed with at least eight lakh people and a few lakh were outside the venue. Kokrajhar is undoubtedly a record turnout. This shows Modiji’s popularity in the Northeast.”
All roads led to the venue as lakhs converged to attend the “thanksgiving” function held for the Prime Minister. Holding the flags of the BJP, the BPF and the All Bodo Students’ Union (Absu), people from all age groups, communities and religions marched to witness the “historic” event, which, Modi said, would “begin a new era of peace and prosperity in the BTC region”.
Chants of “Long live Bodoland” rent the air as people slowly moved towards the venue since dawn. A significant number had arrived on Thursday night. People came from across the state as well as from Cooch Behar and Rampur in West Bengal. Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Mohilary said Bodo people also came from Meghalaya and neighbouring countries of Nepal and Bhutan.
Drivers said there was a traffic congestion of upto 15km. “I have not seen such a crowd in my life,” said Sudhir Modak, 48, who drove down a passenger from Guwahati.
Phungbili Basumatary, a student, reached the venue after walking three hours. “We are happy that so many participated in the peace accord celebration. Hope Modiji will ensure timely implementation of the accord,” he said.
The meeting started around 12.15pm and ended around 2.30pm but the crowd thinned about 6pm. It took this correspondent two hours to leave the venue, which would otherwise take 20-30 minutes.
BPF sources said Modi’s rally at Green Field in Kokrajhar on January 19, 2016, had a turnout of nearly one lakh. BJP insiders claimed that Modi’s biggest rally in Assam (in Guwahati on February 8, 2014) had attracted over two lakh people.
