If there’s anything that ratcheted more controversy than Narendra Modi‘s puppy remark in recent times, it had to be the ‘Rs 5 Hyderabad rally’. The rally, planned by the BJP back in the day when Andhra Pradesh was one state, shot to instant stardom not only because of its chief speaker but because the organisers decided to charge Rs 5 from everyone who wanted to hear Modi speak. It took the political circles by a storm of brickbats and counter jibes. While Congress minister Manish Tewari tweeted that by putting a five rupees price on his speech, the BJP has given out the true worth of its much celebrated leader, BJP spokesperson Nirmala Seetharaman explained that this was a noble attempt to garner funds for charity.
Given that the Congress beat the BJP in swooping up support from the Telangana quarters and the opposition didn’t also see it coming this soon, Modi is expected to work his charm is biting into the Congress’ currently safe vote-bank in divided Andhra Pradesh.
Modi is expected to explain and reiterate his party’s position on small state demands and possibly also try and expose flaws in the Congress’ approach to the division of states. A report says: Modi is also expected to explain to the audience how committed his party is to smaller states and cite creation of three states during the NDA regime. He is likely to reiterate his opposition to Hyderabad remaining as joint capital for the two states since it is not on the border but is situated deep inside Telangana.
The BJP has been pulling out the plugs to make sure Narendra Modi’s maiden Hyderabad address is an overwhelming success. From aggressive Twitter publicity to live streaming that party has been trying to make sure that Modi’s speech hits all the right notes in a strife-torn Hyderabad at the moment.
The rally, named Navabharat Yuva Bheri keeping in mind Modi’s target audience, will also be used by the BJP as a plank to rile the youth from the Seemandhra region. While the BJP itself was for the division of Andhra Pradesh and has repeatedly and vocally backed the demand for a separate Telangana, the party will try its best to cash in on the widespread anger seething in people from Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. How the party will pander to both supporters of Telangana and those opposed to it has been left entirely to the politicking talents of Modi – the party’s poll beacon at the moment.
What would probably work in Modi’s favour here is the fact that it was the youth who propelled the Telangana movement and the youth who opposed it – it is a section of the society Modi has a fair amount of sway on. The BJP will be hoping that the Gujarat CM comes up with a middle path which a divided Andhra Pradesh is compelled enough to embrace. Or better still, he is able to convince the youth from both the regions that Congress’ motives are not in the best interests of the state. If there is one person who can hijack the Telangana agenda successfully from the Congress, it is the Gujarat CM.
Hyderabad BJP leader G Kishan Reddy has already sounded out an appeal to the youth to come and listen to Narendra Modi in the form of a YouTube video which has been tweeted out by the Gujarat CM.
Meanwhile, amid tight security, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi arrived here Sunday morning for a public meeting, the first after he became Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) national campaign committee chairman.
Police have beefed up security in Hyderabad for the meeting, expected to attract over one lakh people. Youth will be the target audience for Modi at the meeting titled “Nava Bharat Yuva Bheri” (New India’s Youth Conclave).
About 5,000 policemen have been deployed. There will be traffic restrictions from 2 p.m to 7 p.m. around Lal Bahadur (L.B.) Stadium, where Modi would be addressing the public from 3 p.m..
The BJP leader arrived by a special aircraft at Begumpet Airport shortly after 10 a.m. State BJP president G. Kishan Reddy and senior leaders Bandaru Dattatreya, Vidyasagar Rao and others welcomed him.
Modi drove to Park Hyatt Hotel, where he will be meeting industrialists and representatives from the information technology sector and the Telugu film industry.
After the meeting, the BJP leader will unveil a statue of Vallabhbhai Patel at the Keshav Memorial School. He will also address BJP office-bearers before leaving Hyderabad at 9 p.m..
Police have refused permission to BJP leaders who wanted to take out processions to L.B. Stadium. Security arrangements are in place to prevent protests by groups opposed to Modi’s visit.
BJP leaders said the stadium has a capacity of 75,000 people, but over 90,000 have registered online. Twelve LED screens would be installed outside the stadium for those who are unable to go inside.
The BJP is collecting Rs.5 from each participant. The party has defended its decision, saying the money would go towards relief in the flood-hit Uttarakhand.
