Lakhs turn up to witness PM Modi’s roadshow in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a massive road show in Bengaluru, covering about 26 km and 19 constituencies in the city, with the entire stretch turning saffron and massive crowds lined up on either side of the roads from early in the morning. Flags of the BJP and Bajrang Dal could be seen all along the route and barricades had been set up.

Earlier in the morning, the Prime Minister set out from Raj Bhavan by road to reach the Indian Air Force Heaquarters Training Command helipad near Mehkri Circle from where he took a helicopter to the Loyola Institute helipad.

Astride a vehicle fully bedecked with flowers, Modi, accompanied by Bangalore Central MP P C Mohan and Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya, began his roadshow from near Someshwara Sabha Bhavan in JP Nagar. Before setting out, he was presented with a saffron coloured silk Mysore peta.

As the convoy moved, the crowd showered flower petals and chanted ‘Modi, Modi’. The PM reciprocated by showering petals on the crowd too. Cutouts of the PM along with huge hoarding announcing the programmes and schemes of the BJP government were placed all along. At some places, rangolis of the BJP symbol were also drawn on the roads. Various troupes of folks artists and musicians too performed along the route.

People of all age groups, including children and the aged, had lined up to catch a glimpse of the PM. While some described him as ‘Yugapurusha’, some others said that they as elated as seeing God himself and added that though they had been waiting since 8 am, they were not at all tired. Roads had been closed along the route and traffic was stopped for the duration of the roadshow.

The PM concluded his roadshow by visiting the Kadu Malleshwara temple in Malleswaram where he was received by BJP general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh, minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan and Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai. The temple authorities had been informed on Friday itself about the PM’s visit and had been asked to make all preparations. The PM offered prayers and then headed to the helipad at the IAF HqTC from where he left for Badami where he will address a rally later.

On Sunday, the roadshow will be between 10 am and 11.30 am from Suranjan Das Circle to Trinity Circle and the distance has been reduced by 4 km. The changes were made on the directions of the Prime Minister, the party said.