Hindu Vivek Kendra
A RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE PROMOTION OF HINDUTVA
   
 
 
«« Back
 

Modi’s Guwahati rally biggest since ’80s

Author: Naresh Mitra & K Sarojkumar Sharma,TNN
Publication: The Times of India
Date: February 10, 2014
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Modis-Guwahati-rally-biggest-since-80s/articleshow/30131512.cms

When BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi declared that the country's Northeast must be set in order to ensure the rest of the country fares better citing the principles of vastu-shastra, his remark was met with a roar of approval.

 It turns out the public chorus in agreement with Modi was no ordinary one; experienced political observers affirmed that the gatherings in Imphal and Guwahati on Saturday were among the largest witnessed; in Assam since the 1980s when the anti-foreigner agitation was on; and, in Imphal, at one lakh plus, the biggest ever. This, when the saffron party is yet to make its presence felt in Assam and the surrounding provinces.

 In Assam, BJP has four MPs and five MLAs, and none MP in Manipur yet. In the 2012 assembly polls, it drew a blank in the 60-member House. In 2000 and 2002 Manipur assembly elections, BJP had won six and four seats.

 Seemingly impressed by the huge turnout, Modi said during his speech in Guwahati, "Jahan bhi dekho, maathey hi maathey nazar aa rahe hain (Wherever you turn, you see only heads)."

 By conservative estimates, the turnout at the rally at the College of Veterinary Science ground in Guwahati, was between one and 1.5 lakh. Assam BJP spokesman Shiladitya Dev claimed the number was 2.5 lakh.

 "People in Assam, as in other parts of the country, want change from Congress rule at the Centre and in the state. They're aware of the development Gujarat has seen under Modi and it's natural that they should want to see and hear him," Dev said.

 Imphal, which rarely gets to see turnouts higher than 20,000, surprised itself by recording the largest gathering ever for a speech by a national-level leader. "In our earlier poll rallies, the maximum turnout was 20,000. Saturday's rally was attended by about one lakh people. It's a Modi wave," Manipur BJP secretary L Bashanta Sharma said.

 According to sociologist Chandan Sarmah, Modi overshadowed his party and it was his personality that was the crowd-puller. As in other parts of the country, people in Assam and Manipur are desperately looking for someone who can deliver, he said.

    
"The countrywide wave has been triggered by the belief that Modi can deliver. This wave is also sweeping across these two states," Sarmah said.
 
«« Back
 
 
 
  Search Articles
 
  Special Annoucements