Ranchi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took part in a mega 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 charismatic leader. The Prime Minister, atop a saffron-coloured open vehicle adorned with flowers and his cutouts, waved at the crowd, which chanted slogans like "Modi Zindabad."
From children to adults, people expressed their excitement by capturing moments of the roadshow on their mobile phones. This was the second roadshow by the PM here in the last six months. The roadshow began at OTC Ground, amid tight security and heavy police deployment, and culminated at New Market Chowk. "At the start of the roadshow, around 501 Brahmins blew conch shells with the resolve for victory," a BJP leader said. Union Minister and Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth, Ranchi candidate CP Singh, and Hatia BJP candidate Naveen Jaiswal were seen perched beside Modi as he waved at the crowds. 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. Tribes danced along the roads with band parties playing musical instruments, while people held BJP flags. 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. Many stood with placards and banners with slogans in praise of the PM, while others held replicas of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, alongside pictures of the temple.
"Many of the women observed fast in view of the roadshow," the BJP leader added. 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." 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, attacking the ruling JMM-led dispensation for "corruption, loot, and atrocities on people." 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 were banned in this area for the duration of the event. 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.
