LUCKNOW, Oct 10: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s indication that this ‘Vijaydashmi’ will be a special occasion for the country, denizens of the city are anxiously waiting to give a warm welcome to the former, on his brief one hour visit to the capital city tomorrow, to celebrate the festival.
The entire city has been decked up and the streets from where the PM’s cavalcade would pass, are being painted.
Aishbagh Ramlila ground, where the Dusshera programme would be held, is decorated with 20 quintals of flowers. A 121-feet ‘Ravan’ is erected and would be set afire through laser by Mr Modi, in the presence of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma and BJP national vice-president Dinesh Sharma.
The city has been converted into a fortress with the officials of Elite Special Protection Group (SPG) taking their position and monitoring the security of Aishbagh Ramlila ground and the roads, through which the PM’s cavalcade would pass.
As tomorrow will also be the eve of Moharrum and Lucknow has a past history of sectorial clashes during the processions, hence the security personnel are taking no chance in making foolproof security cover for the PM.
The Union Home Minister and the Lucknow Mayor will welcome the PM at the airport and it has been informed to BJP leaders that no politics should be done on the programme.
Besides, no such hoardings would also be put up in the city to glamourise the PM, except for some to welcome him in the city.
But still, BJP flags are being put up on the entire roads, through which the PM would pass.
Though officials say that PM Modi will only participate in ‘Vijaydashmi,’ but they could not deny Mr Modi’s visit to the residence of Mayor Dinesh Sharma and to Rajbhawan.
UP Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Akhikesh Yadav are likely to welcome the PM at the airport.
Mr Modi is expected to reach Lucknow by 1810 hrs tomorrow and would reach the venue from Amausi airport by a chopper, which will land on the nearby Rastogi college campus.
However, alternative road route from airport to Aishbagh has also been kept open, in view of any change in the plan.
The spectators would be allowed to enter the venue for one hour between 1630 to 1730 hrs and against the crowd of 25,000, only 5000 would be allowed entry. The PM will offer prayers to Lord Ram and Hanuman and address the gathering before setting Ravan’s effigy afire, official sources said.
The PM will return back to New Delhi at around 1915 hrs. In Lucknow, 45 LED big screens would be put at various crossings, so that people can watch the live coverage of the function.
The visit of Mr Modi to attend the function gains importance in view of the coming crucial Assembly polls in UP in next three months time.
The PM’s speech at the function could also give enough impetus to the BJP’s poll tirade in UP, with focus on terrorism and the opposition’s attack on the government over politicisation of the surgical strike. (UNI)
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