Bangalore becomes fortress ahead of Modi rally

Rally, to be held at city's Palace Grounds, is expected to be attended by about 300,000 supporters

The Karnataka state government has swung into action to ensure the rally to be addressed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi here on Sunday doesn’t see any untoward incident.

The city has virtually been turned into a fortress, with heavy police presence. “Ten DCPs (deputy commissioners of police), 25 ACPs (assistant commissioners of police), 100 police inspectors, 250 sub-inspectors, 300 assistant sub-inspectors, 3,000 head constables and constables, 800 home guards and 500 civil defence personnel will be deployed for the rally,” city police commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar had told reporters earlier. The police had also undertaken preventive measures in sensitive areas of the city, including some preemptive arrests of potential trouble makers, he added.

Earlier, there were apprehensions the rally might not be held in a smooth manner, as the Congress party was in power in the state. However, these very apprehensions may prompt the Siddaramaiah government to ensure the smooth conduct of the rally to portray a neutral character.

The BJP will rely heavily on Modi to ensure the party fares well in Karnataka in the coming Lok Sabha polls. Karnataka has 28 seats in the Lok Sabha and of those, 19 seats are held by the BJP. However, BJP’s recent poor show in the state Assembly polls will weigh heavy on the party’s state. The B S Yeddyurappa factor will also be critical for the BJP, as it is in a predicament on whether to bring the former chief minister back into its fold or rely on his outside support.

There is speculation Modi may meet Yeddyurappa here on Sunday.

Modi’s rally, to be held at the sprawling Palace Grounds, is expected to be attended by about 300,000 BJP supporters. A huge dais (40x80 ft) has been set up at the venue. About 40 giant LED screens would beam images of Modi across the venue, BJP state president Prahlad Joshi has said earlier. The BJP is terming the rally “the biggest rally the city has witnessed in its history”.

Modi supporters have arranged for 10 special trains, 2,500 buses and 2,500 maxi-cabs to bring party supporters from various parts of Karnataka here. The party has booked 12 big wedding halls in Palace Grounds vicinity to provide breakfast and other amenities to supporters from outside the city. Various bike rallies from Shimoga, Udupi and Kolar will reach the venue on Sunday.

The venue has been divided into 28 different blocks, with seating arrangements specified for people arriving from different places. The party will also provide booklets to the participants, outlining the “achievements” of the National Democratic Alliance government, the “scams” during the United Progressive Alliance Government’s terms, as well as a profile of Modi.

Now, Bangaloreans are holding to breath to see what happens, and how much the rally can inconvenience the people in the northern part of the city where the venue of the rally is.

With many of the buses already taken by BJP for ferrying people to the rally, there's not much chance for many of the people to travel around the city.