Enthused by the phenomenal turnout in the country-wide rallies of BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, the BJP’s Bengal unit has decided to book seats in advance for his February 5 rally in Kolkata.
The party would offer an online registration to book seats for the fans in Gujarat Chief Minister’s meeting, Bengal BJP president Rahul Sinha has said. The registration process would start from Tuesday.
“Going by the massive turnout in Narendra Modi’s meetings all over the country we have decided to make online booking of seats for his fans who want to see him from close distance,” Sinha said adding the party was also making provisions for accepting donations for those who would like to contribute to the party funds.
The leader, however, declined to link the payment of donation with booking of seats saying “donation is for those who want to contribute to the party funds. It is not mandatory. Even if they do not pay donations we would ensure booking for them online.”
However in an apparent bid to attach maximum number of youth with the party programme, Sinha added the scheme would apply only to those between the age of 18 and 40. The BJP think tank feels the youth currently disillusioned with both the left and the Trinamool Congress would turn towards Modi.
Hitting out at CPI(M) politburo member Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee for criticising the Gujarat Chief Minister, Sinha said, only the Marxists knew the art of moving backwards as “while whole India is backing us it is only the communists like Buddhababu are criticising him. It only proves that there are no bigger fascists than the Marxists.”
The BJP which had in the last lok Sabha elections polled more than 20 lakh votes in the State is expecting a huge turnout in Modi’s meeting which will be held at Brigade Parade Ground which has an official capacity of more than 12 lakh with only the left Front having touched that mark on earlier occasions.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier managed a total turnout of about 7 lakh on the ground and if the BJP manages to garner at least five lakh then the meeting would be considered a grand success considering the party’s growing status in Bengal, experts said. In terms of numerical strength, the BJP is ranked fourth behind the Trinamool, left Front and the Congress.
The saffron outfit which had sent two Ministers to the Union Cabinet from the State in 1999 and currently holds only Darjeeling parliamentary seat is planning to contest from all the seats this time round. With this view, the party was planning about 100 rallies throughout the State with senior Central leaders.