The initiative may not bring great electoral dividends in Andhra but it has boosted credibility of local BJP leaders among devotees.
A seer near the train to Ayodhya from Vijayawada. (Bhaskar Basava/South First)
In a bid to turn the “Ram Mandir” sentiment into votes, during the run-up to the elections, the BJP is sponsoring a subsidised “Chalo Ayodhya” campaign for lower and middle-class families.
From the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, at least 10 special trains arranged by the BJP — with 15,000 pilgrims, or would-be voters — have travelled to Ayodhya, with each person paying around ₹2,300 for the five-day trip.
As many as 1,500 people have just arrived at the Vijayawada railway station for their departure to Ayodhya on a five-day visit on Sunday, 3 March.
Some learned about the subsidised ‘Chalo Ayodhya’ tour through posts on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, while others were referred by priests. The RSS workers and local BJP leaders also provided references.
BJP Guntur district president Vanama Narendra told South First that the priority was given to the Karsevaks and their family members who participated in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in the 1990s.
The NTR District BJP leaders and a popular seer Shiva presented at Railway station before departure.
The second was the respondents who actively participated in local programmes for Ayodhya, such as fund collections and celebrations at local temples.
Notably, as per a senior RSS functionary around ₹90 crore was collected by RSS from around 12,456 panchayats in Andhra Pradesh.
From booking the special train through IRCTC to travel arrangements and accommodation facilities, additional responsibilities fell on the BJP leaders in the town.
Vanagala Rama Krishna, Vijayawada central BJP co-convenor and in-charge for Ayodhya travel in Vijayawada, said, “Chalo Ayodhya is happening solely through ‘word of mouth’ at the local level. This is for ordinary people, not for leaders and VIPs.”
He added: “After receiving the minimal payment of ₹2,300, I will update them about the travel plan, which will be coordinated by our in-charge for the coach.”
Both Narendra and Rama Krishna claimed that there was no political motive and their efforts were more centred on people visiting Ayodhya.
But, they conceded that this may have an electoral impact to some extent, but it won’t be significant in Andhra Pradesh, where politics are more centred around caste than religion.
It’s all orange everywhere; some were wearing saffron scarves, while others held the BJP flags.
Platform number 1 in Vijayawada on 3 March was reserved. At least 10 help desks were assisting senior citizens in locating seat numbers, issuing ID cards, and confirming passenger details.
A priest giving blessings to the devotees in the railway station besides PM Modi selfie point.
The train is also ahead of schedule on its arrival, making everything seem amazing for the travellers, as this was not the usual case.
Ayodhya passengers all await the arrival of their colleagues before the clock strikes 2:30 for the departure.
There were branding points for Prime Minister Modi and the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, serving as selfie points. People were turning up at these points in the meantime, posing for pictures.
The station also witnessed seasoned seers and local BJP leaders coming to bid wishes for the travellers.
Security is much higher on the platform with around 50-100 Railway Protection Force at all points.
Additionally, each coach has an in-charge led by two senior individuals proficient in both Telugu and Hindi. They act as facilitators and tourist guides, coordinating with IRCTC staff for food on the train.
Further, at least one railway police officer and IRCTC staff were assigned for every two coaches.
Three young members pursuing BTech from Eluru have just arrived to leave for Ayodhya. They are also RSS members who actively participated in fund collection and local events. VSK Gowtham, D Panduranga, and G Tej Vamsi feel that this opportunity to travel to Ayodhya is a token of incentive for their efforts.
They believe that Modi should focus more on the South, just as he is focusing on the Hindi belt — on political grounds. They further suggested that there is a high possibility of BJP growth if leaders like Annamalai in Tamil Nadu and Bandi Sanjay in Telangana were scouted in Andhra.
PM Modi selfie point in the railway station.
After taking a picture at the selfie point, they expressed their willingness to contribute similar efforts to the construction of the Mathura temple.
Further, around thirty women from Macharla in the Palnadu district were also travelling on the recommendation of their temple priest Kesavayya from the Chennekesava temple in Kammampadu.
Veeramma Darla, one among the thirty women, said, “The travel is affordable, and our ‘pantulu ayyagaru’ (Priest sir) recommended and referred us to the local BJP leaders. We all decided to travel, leaving the household chores for five days and entrusting the responsibility of children to our men.”
Veeramma and three other women posed for a picture at the selfie point of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, mentioning that they were eagerly waiting for the ₹15 lakh promise of Modi to be deposited into their bank accounts.
Subba Lakshmi, a 65-year-old from Vijayawada, joined by three other relatives, is eagerly awaiting the departure.
Lakshmi claims that Modi has established Rama Rajya. She mentioned watching a recent video of Modi underwater in the mythical submerged city of Dwarka, believing that he has the power to revive the city. She spoke about the Hindu way of life being essential and sees it reflected in Modi.
The women waving the saffron flag on the platform.
Asked if these pilgrimage visits help Modi electorally, she asserted, “Why wouldn’t it help? It should and definitely will.”
Pointing to her female relatives, she explained, “Many of us are travelling alone for the first time, to the ‘sacred’ place Ayodhya with just ₹2,300. So, why won’t it help?”
A couple from Guntur, standing next to the train’s name board ‘Ayodhya,’ asked me to take a picture. Srinivas Rao Muvvala said he learned about Chalo Ayodhya on Instagram.
After discovering this, he approached the Guntur BJP workers, where he found out that the train for Guntur had already left, and he was accommodated in Vijayawada.
Four men from an RSS-affiliated fishermen organisation, Matsyakara Samkshema Sangham (Fishermen Welfare Board), said that the affordable tour price helps reach many middle-class families, as everyone wants to visit the ‘sacred’ place built under Modi’s leadership.
As the clock struck 2.30 pm, 1,500 people from Andhra Pradesh departed for Ayodhya. Amidst the announcements, the passengers received farewells from the BJP workers, and the railway station echoed with religious chants for the next few minutes until the train left.
As we all know, sharing a train berth with fellow citizens, politics is a sure topic of discussion. The passengers from Andhra will spend almost three days and a half on the train and one day and a half in Ayodhya.
Meanwhile, the BJP leaders are preparing to welcome the crowd on 8 March, organising a grand reception complete with cheers and Aarti. As per the BJP leaders, the further tours are set to continue until the election code comes into force.
The Chalo Ayodhya may have very minimal electoral benefit for the BJP in Andhra Pradesh. But, it appears to boost the ‘morale and credibility’ of local BJP leaders, among those participating in the Ayodhya trip at a subsidised cost.
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