KANNUR : Though the unexpected absence of Amit Shah took the shine off the Janaraksha Yatra led by BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan on Thursday, the BJP marched through Pinarayi - the home village of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan - amidst closed shops and roaring supporters.
The absence of Shah, who was supposed to rejoin the march starting from Mambaram, had cast a shadow of gloom and despair on the morale of vibrant supporters following the march from Payyannur since Tuesday morning.
Since the march was scheduled to pass through Pinarayi, the state leadership was in an upbeat mood as they expected the presence of Shah will give the workers in the region a much needed boost. However, the news of his absence left them a confused lot. Later, it was explained Shah had to attend some important meetings at New Delhi, in connection with GST and other issues. But the feigned confidence of the party leadership was not so convincing.
As the much hyped march through Pinarayi was jolted by the absence of Shah, Kummanam and his team found it hard to stay unfazed before the questioning media and curious supporters. Once they overcame the initial hiccup, the march got going. The third day’s march ended with a meeting at Thalasserry in which Kummanam and other state leaders spoke. According to party sources, Shah will participate in the concluding meeting at Thiruvananthapuram on October 17 and termed the cancellation of the trip on Thursday as ‘rescheduling’.
It was explained Amit Shah had to attend some important meetings in New Delhiin connection with GST and other issues
Sources said Shah will take part in the concl-uding meeting in T’Puram on October 17