MANGALURU: A huge crowd turned up at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow in Mangaluru on Sunday. The PM, who arrived at Mangaluru International Airport at 7.15 pm, drove straight to Brahmashri Narayan Guru Circle in the city while greeting people standing on either sides of the road with folded hands.
He started the roadshow after offering floral tributes to the statue of social reformer Narayana Guru amid the chanting of slokas. Thousands of people sporting saffron caps and shawls greeted the PM by waving BJP flags, saffron shawls and showering flowers.
Riding on a decorated open vehicle, the PM, who sported a saffron cap, waved at the enthusiastic crowd with a Lotus, the BJP symbol, in hand. He was flanked by Capt Brijesh Chowta and Kota Srinivas Poojary, BJP candidates from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituencies, respectively. The roadshow culminated at Navabharat Circle, which is about 2 km away from Narayan Guru Circle, at 8.45 pm. He got into an SUV at Navabharat Circle and waved at people by standing on the footboard up to Hampankatta Circle.
Beating of drums and playing of musical instruments and performances by Yakshagana, tiger dance and other troupes energised the crowd. People cheered their favourite leader all along the roadshow by raising ‘Jai Jai Modi’ slogans.
Mangaluru turned saffron with BJP flags and buntings and a fortress for the Modi event. Security was beefed up in the areas along the roadshow route. Since 2 pm, the traffic on the route was blocked. People started arriving for the roadshow from 5 pm onwards to find a proper place to have a glimpse of the PM.
Roopa D Bangera, a former BJP corporator, said the roadshow has energised the BJP workers and supporters. Another BJP follower said she turned up at the event in order to show her gratitude to Modi for making Ram Mandir a reality.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and BJP MLAs from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi greeted Modi before the start of the roadshow. Capt Chowta presented a portrait of a goddess to the PM.