By Bappaditya Chatterjee
Kolkata, April 3 (IANS) A sea of humanity at the iconic Brigade Parade ground never had one dull moment on Wednesday as they chanted slogans, clicked photos and rushed for vantage points to capture the many moods of their leader on their mobile. But overall, it was an overwhelming feeling of euphoria at seeing Prime Minister Narendra Modi so close.
The magnetic pull of Modi was evident throughout, from the high-decibel welcome when he reached the venue to the constant chants of "Modi, Modi, Modi" that kept up the atmosphere of raucousness.
The lakhs of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers, Sangh Parivar activists and supporters, who had poured into the venue since the morning, whiled away their time chatting with their colleagues about the party's prospects in Bengal this time, and the strategies and tactics they need to adopt so as to make a mark in the coming polls.
The sultry morning gave way to a scorching afternoon, when the air of expectancy changed into one of tumultuous applause once the audience spotted helicopters flying in the sky and many, who were relaxing and moving to and fro on the ground, rushed to the hangar set up to get a view of Modi, once he reached the stage.
When finally Modi did begin his aggressive speech, every mention of Banerjee and her "poor governance" drew spontaneous cheers.
The applause and the cheers reached a crescendo as Modi took on Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, calling them "bua-bhatija" who were "looting" the state.
"Yes, yes, 'aur boliye'," shouted the crowd, expecting more fireworks from Modi, amid deafening slogans of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and "Jai Shri Ram".
Many of the activists sported saffron headgears including BJP-themed caps, ribbons and wrist bands, badges, scarves and dupattas with party emblem and proudly held aloft party flags.
A large number of workers and supporters wore T-shirts with message "NaMo Again", "Main V Chowkidar".
Among many who had gathered, Montu Karmakar, a train hawker, cashed in on the opportunity to sell snacks and spicy puffed rice as well as to show his support for the BJP.
"My party has given me a captive market here as people have come from everywhere. I am listening to our leaders and selling 'masala muri'," he said.
Donning a saffron cap, Karmakar, who was patiently catering to his customers, started taking payments hurriedly once Modi arrived.
Dressed top to bottom in saffron-coloured turban and kurta-pyjamas, Sonu Pandey holding the national and party flags up along with a triangular shaped Sri Ram flag, cheered Modi.
"I did not miss a single meeting of Modiji in Bengal though could not attend today's (Wednesday) Siliguri rally. I love him," he said.
In order to cash in on the Prime Minister's popularity, the party too distributed Modi masks to the people, who wore them at the rally, while enthusiastically cheering Modi.
Three men -- Raj Chitrakar, Debashish Chitrakar and Kartik Chitrakar -- wearing Modi masks claimed they have come to the rally after facing misbehaviour from the local Trinamool Congress activists.
(Bappaditya Chatterjee can be reached at bappaditya.c@ians.in)
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