BJP & GA to sound poll bugle with show of strength today in Bihar

LAURIYA (WEST CHAMPARAN): The stage is set for the BJP and the ruling Grand Alliance (GA) in Bihar to flex political muscles in a show strength on Saturday with Union home minister Amit Shah's BJP rally at Lauriya in West Champaran and addressing a meeting at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna while chief minister Nitish Kumar will lead allies at a joint rally in Purnia to attack PM Narendra Modi and his government at the Centre.
While BJP believes the the two rallies to be addressed by Shah will reaffirm the party's organisational strength and commitment to ideology, the GA will take this opportunity to present a united face against the saffron party while sounding a sort of poll bugle in the state for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In Patna, Shah will address a 'Kisan Mazdoor Samagam' organised to celebrate the birth anniversary of peasant leader and freedom fighter Swami Sahajanand Saraswati.
He will also visit Takhat Shri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib gurdwara. Massive preparations have been made for the BJP rally in Champaran.
It will also be Shah's third visit to the state in the past six months since Nitish broke away from BJP to form new government with the support of RJD and other GA partners in August last year, amply explaining how Bihar with a total of 40 Lok Sabha seats holds special importance for BJP.
Since its breakup with Nitish, BJP has been trying hard to go to the voters and connect with them in a bid to stand on its own feet. Apparently, it was with this purpose that BJP has been holding rallies in the countryside -- the first was held in Purnia, second in Sitab Diara, the birthplace of veteran socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan in Saran district whereas the third is scheduled here in Lauriya on Saturday.
The BJP is investing all energy to pull the crowd at the rally ground and make it a grand success. A poor turnout at Shah rally won't convey a good message among the voters and hence the BJP leaders are toiling hard to draw impressive crowd at the rally.
"We have appealed to the people to attend the rally in large numbers. There is huge enthusiasm among the masses for the rally," local BJP MP and state party president Sanjay Jaiswal said.
Union minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai held a meeting with the farmers at Bagaha on Friday about the welfare measures launched by the Centre for the farming class. Rai also invited them to the rally.
"People across the state are fed up with the policies of the present state government and Shah's presence will indeed boost their morale," BJP state media incharge Ashok Bhatt said.
All top leaders are camping in the area to ensure impressive turnout at the rally. In Patna also, the entire city has turned saffron with flags, banners, posters and hoardings.