Thousands gather to welcome Modi in Ranchi

Ranchi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s got a rousing reception during his first road show in Ranchi on Tuesday evening. Standing in an open-top bulletproof SUV, Modi took the 2.5km route from the airport to Birsa Chowk amid the chants of ‘Fir ek baar Modi Sarkar’ and ‘Har ghar Modi, ghar ghar Modi’.
More than 50,000 people from all age groups descended on the flanks of the road hours before Modi’s scheduled arrival even as hordes of BJP workers in Modi T-shirts and caps took out bike rallies and a padyatra to rouse the crowd.

Modi landed at Birsa Munda international airport around 6.45pm and embarked on his road show, which comes two weeks before Ranchi goes to vote on May 6. He drove to Birsa Chowk via Hinoo and paid floral tribute to the statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda about 7.25pm. He spent less than 10 minutes interacting with the crowd.

Chief Minister Raghubar Das and BJP’s Jharkhand in-charge for parliamentary polls Mangal Pandey waled on foot ahead of Modi’s vehicle. BJP’s Ranchi candidate Sanjay Seth however was not allowed to enter the cordoned off area manned by SPG.

“He should have been along with the PM and CM inside the main ring. That would have given our candidate more mileage. Probably some security issues,” said a senior BJP leader. “However, Modi will certainly meet our candidate as Ranchi seat is prestigious for BJP,” he added.

Modi will spend the night at Raj Bhavan before he heads to Lohardaga on Wednesday morning to address a poll rally.