A road show on a grand scale had been organised by the BJP in Tamil Nadu for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Published Mar 19, 2024 | 8:49 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 19, 2024 | 8:49 AM
PM Modi at a roadshow in Coimbatore. (X)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow in Coimbatore on Monday, 18 March, amid non-stop chants of “Modi, Modi” by BJP workers and he paid floral tributes to the portraits of 58 people killed here in the 1998 serial bomb blast.
The roadshow, amid tight police security, comes days after the Madras High Court green-flagged the event, directing the police to allow it with reasonable conditions. The police had initially refused permission citing reasons, including the “communally sensitive” nature of the area, and the ongoing public exams in schools.
As Modi began his roadshow in an open, flower-decked vehicle, people who gathered on both sides of the road showered flower petals on him, and chanted slogans hailing him. While traditional music was played to welcome him, several of them danced and waved at him enthusiastically.
தமிழ்நாட்டின் தேர்தல் முடிவுகள் அனைவரையும் ஆச்சரியத்தில் ஆழ்த்தப் போகிறது. எங்கள் கட்சி மாநிலம் முழுவதும் வலுவான சக்தியாக உருவாகி வருகிறது. இனி திமுகவை ஆதரிக்கும் மனநிலையில் மக்கள் இல்லை.
கோயம்புத்தூரில் இருந்து மேலும் சில காட்சிகள் இங்கே. pic.twitter.com/kVOanvtbQ0
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 18, 2024
This is the first time such a road show, on a grand scale, has been organised by the BJP in Tamil Nadu, which witnessed a good turnout.
“Meendum Modi, Vendum Modi,” (Once again Modi, we want Modi) was one of the slogans raised by BJP supporters.
Many people who lined up on the roads held lotus flowers in their hands to welcome Modi and raised “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” slogans.
Clad in a spotless white kurta, Modi sported a colourful BJP shawl and often raised both his hands to wave at people who took vantage positions in buildings to take a glimpse of him.
All along the about 2.5 km route, from Saibaba Colony to RS Puram in downtown Coimbatore, Modi’s vehicle slowly made its way while people followed him on the service lanes.
At the end of the roadshow, Modi paid floral tributes to the portraits of people who were killed in the bomb blast that rocked this textile city in 1998, hours before iconic BJP leader LK Advani was to address a poll meeting on 14 February that year.
Fifty-eight people were killed and over 100 injured. The portraits were placed in a small, makeshift memorial square.
The BJP flags fluttered against the backdrop of colourful lights and festoons and the Prime Minister waved and cheered saffron party workers who were waiting for over an hour to take a look at him. Performances of folk dance and traditional music energised the cadres who sang songs and danced.
This is the first time Modi has held a roadshow here and also this is the first political engagement of the PM following the announcement of the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls by the Election Commission.
BJP Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai, Union Minister of State L Murugan, Coimbatore MLA and BJP Mahila Morcha national president, Vanathi Srinivasan were the three leaders who accompanied the Prime Minister in his vehicle.
Modi is scheduled to address a BJP rally at Salem in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, 19 March.
1998 ல் நிகழ்ந்த கோயம்புத்தூர் தீவிரவாத குண்டுவெடிப்புகளை மறக்க முடியாது. இன்று இந்த நகரத்திற்கு வந்திருக்கும் போது, அந்த குண்டுவெடிப்புகளில் நம்மை விட்டுப் பிரிந்தவர்களுக்கு அஞ்சலி செலுத்தினேன். pic.twitter.com/BEFPT3vWyd
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 18, 2024
(Disclaimer: The headline, subheads, and intro of this report along with the photos may have been reworked by South First. The rest of the content is from a syndicated feed, and has been edited for style.)
