The roads leading to BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s rally in the city wore a near-deserted look late on Saturday.
An otherwise busy Tilak Road and other arterial roads were cordoned off. People were seen walking for more than a kilometre to reach Sir Parshurambhau College (SP College) ground where the rally was held.
Even three hours after the show ended, the road outside the college was chockablock with people. Men and women, sportingT-shirts with Modi’s face printed on it, and other party memorabilia had packed the road.
The BJP used the ammunition provided by Sanjaya Baru, former media adviser, to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his book
‘Too many acts’ While the Congress dismissed Baru’s revelations as a work of fiction, Modi pounced upon all the anecdotes and attacked Singh and his government.
In his trademark style, Modi flayed Singh for leading the country into an abyss. Seeking a response from the audience each time he asked his question, Modi criticised the incumbent government for bringing in too many acts (like MNREGA, Food Security Act, Right to Education) and taking too little action. As the audience roared in response to each of his posers, Modi interspersed his speech with a sarcastic “Waah! kya scene hain”.
Modi also explained why work on the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat was held up. He said, “I have been asking for permission from the PM to install gates on the dam for the last six years, but nothing has happened.”
On the missing coal files, Modi said 20,000 MW worth projects are struck because of coal-related issues. “When the Supreme Court asked for the files, the government said it is missing.” Then referring to Baru’s book, Modi said, “Now, we know where the files are.”
“Till yesterday I thought it was a remote control government, but after what is mentioned in the book it is clear that it is the remote that is running the government,” Modi remarked drawing loud applause from the crowd.