At VK Singh’s roadshow, locals predict BJP win

GHAZIABAD: BJP workers and supporters occupied every inch of Bajaria’s market as Gen V K Singh (retd) held his biggest roadshow till now in his parliamentary constituency on Monday afternoon.

Singh, who was accompanied by Uttarakhand chief minister T S Rawat, set out in an open vehicle with a cavalcade in tow, as supporters donning saffron caps shouted slogans and showered them with flowers.

Party flags fluttered everywhere and loudspeakers blazed with songs highlighting the Narendra Modi government’s achievements. Some stood with cutouts of Singh while others wore Modi masks, as they waited patiently for the roadshow to begin.

On arrival, Singh headed straight to the gurdwara and, along with Rawat, participated in a religious ritual there before beginning the roadshow. Sant Singh, head priest of the gurdwara, predicted a victory for the BJP and for Singh too.

Nathu Singh, a BJP supporter and resident of Bajaria, said, “This is one of biggest roadshows by the BJP in Ghaziabad. There is not an inch to walk or even stand, but nobody is complaining.”

Om Prakash, who had come all the way from Loni to attend the roadshow, stood near a kiosk with his friends.

“BSP-SP-RLD alliance candidate Suresh Bansal is all set to give a tough fight to Singh. We have been watching his campaign and that of the Congress closely, and the feedback we are getting indicates that a tough fight is on the cards,” he said.

However, added Om Prakash, Singh’s path has been made somewhat easier by the fact that the Congress has not joined the mahagathbandan. “Congress’s Dolly Sharma will dent the alliance candidate’s vote share to Singh’s advantage,” he said, with the air of a political expert.

Irshad Ali (48), who was watching from his paan shop, said he believed the BJP “definitely has an edge”.

Meanwhile, the roadshow held up traffic from Kotwali to Thakurdwara.

“What kind of roadshow is this? They don’t even care for the common man. I am getting late for tuitions,” complained a visibly irritated girl who was travelling in an auto.