LUCKNOW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally scheduled here for Monday, first after the expiry on December 30 of the 50-day grace period of demonetisation, assumes significance because he is expected to make some important announcements and it is being held at a time when the infighting in Uttar Pradesh’s first family — of the ruling Samajawadi Party — is at its peak.
The BJP is going full throttle to make the prime minister’s rally a show of party’s strength and prestige in the state capital. While all the senior state leaders are putting in their might to make the rally a success, Union ministers such as Rajnath Singh, Kalraj Mishra and Uma Bharti and MPs representing the state have also reached the state capital to take part in the rally. Party chief Amit Shah is also expected to share the dais with the prime minister on Monday.
“Monday’s rally will break the record of all the previous political rallies in the state capital. It will set the tone for change in Uttar Pradesh. It will be historic as it will ensure the change of a dispensation in the state,” said party spokesman Dr Chandra Mohan.
According to party insiders, all the preparations for the rally are complete and over ten lakh people are expected to throng the state capital to listen to the prime minister.
“Around 14,000 buses and 50,000 small vehicles will ply to ferry people to and fro the rally ground,” said a party leader.
While the people are expecting some crucial Uttar Pradesh-specific announcements from the prime minister, the state leadership thinks that he will focus more on the issues of corruption, digital transactions, and economic reforms.
Apart from Shah, other national office-bearers may also be present on the stage with the prime minister. People from every nook and cranny of the state, including Awadh, Kanpur and Brij regions, had started pouring into the state capital since Sunday evening despite the winter chill.