Thousands throng the streets to get a glimpse of the prime minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with CM Eknath Shinde (left) and Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis in Ghatkopar, on Wednesday. Pic/Rane Ashish
Prime Minister Modi, flanked by CM Shinde and Deputy CM Fadnavis, led a 2.5-km roadshow in Mumbai’s North East Lok Sabha constituency in Ghatkopar. Thousands thronged as the convoy traversed from Ghatkopar West to Ghatkopar East. “For the first time, we are seeing confidence in the country. I have already prepared a 100-day blueprint of the development agenda for my third term. My hard work will continue after June 4. This is not my confidence, but that of the people of India,” he said.
He wanted to extend the 100-day period to 125-days, and wanted the youth to send him their innovative ideas of development which can be included in the blueprint, he said. People who came from far-off places waited for more than three to four hours for less than a minute’s glimpse of Modi. Dressed in a white kurta and grey jacket, Modi acknowledged the large crowds on both sides of the streets as he passed by. The route featured various welcome points where representatives of different communities, including the Muslim community, were seen welcoming him.
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PM Modi at waving at the crows during the road show. Pic/Shadab Khan
Dance groups were stationed at intervals to greet him, and his cavalcade was preceded by a march of people. Flowers were showered on him from both sides, and the route was decorated with flowers and huge cut-outs of Modi and Balasaheb Thackeray.
Seventy-two-year-old Usha Parmar came to Ghatkopar from Jogeshwari to get Modi’s glimpse. She struggled to find a space in the crowd to see him. “I reached here at 3.30 pm. I have been waiting since then. I don’t mind because I want to see him. He is like Hanuman, carrying the weight of the Sanjeevani mountain all alone, to heal our country and its people.” Parmar even argued with a policewoman who tried to push her behind the barricade.
Ten-year-old Pankhuri Chhangur Chauhan, a student of DAV Public School in Nerul, came from Ulwe with her mother to see Modi. “I wish Modiji comes soon,” said the child while waiting in the crowd. When asked why she came, Pankhuri said, “I have written a small poem and want to show Modiji.” As soon as Modi’s vehicle passed, Pankhuri stood up, showing her poem and drawing.
Inconvenience to commuters
Prime Minister Modi’s roadshow caused major inconvenience to many people as LBS Marg was completely blocked for pedestrians trying to reach Ghatkopar railway station at Sarvodaya junction. This led to significant discontent among those returning home from work or planning to travel by train, who had no intention of attending the roadshow but were forced to wait for the VIP convoy to pass.
The expected visit timing of Prime Minister Modi at this junction was around 6 pm, but a 1.5-hour delay exacerbated the issue, as the road was blocked as soon as the roadshow began. “How am I supposed to reach Ghatkopar station if the road is barricaded? VIP rallies are one thing, but they never think of how our lives are affected by it. I am running almost an hour late for an important meeting,” said Ritesh Khedekar, who wanted to cross Sarvodaya junction to reach Ghatkopar station.
“I was supposed to reach Kandivli by 7.00 pm. Due to the roadshow, the metro was shut, and I am stuck here at Sarvodaya junction, unable to cross and reach the railway station. This is absolutely ridiculous. I did not even intend to attend the roadshow but was forced to wait here until the barricading was opened,” said Prashik Kamble.
With Inputs from Prasun Choudhari
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