PM Modi holds roadshow to back AINRC-BJP in Puducherry polls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a grand roadshow on Friday and sought support for the AINRC-BJP alliance in the April 9 election to the territorial Assembly.

The Prime Minister, flanked by AINRC founder leader Chief Minister N Rangasamy and BJP leader, Home Minister A Namassivayam, held his roadshow between the Ajanta signal point and the Kamarajar statue/Raja theatre signal, a distance of less than 2 km, and it took nearly an hour for the show to conclude.

Earlier, on his arrival, he was accorded a rousing welcome by the BJP workers amid chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Jai Shri Ram’. As the prime minister’s open campaign vehicle slowly moved on, he waved at the people, and they showered flowers on him and his campaign vehicle.

Flags of the BJP-AINR Congress fluttered all across the city, and it was maximum from the SV Patel Road, the starting point of the roadshow and till the Anna Salai--Kamarajar Salai junction where the event culminated. Police had made elaborate security arrangements in view of the prime minister’s visit.

Cultural shows and traditional dance programmes added colour and spice to the PM’s roadshow in Puducherry. A large number of supporters had gathered well in advance to welcome the prime minister, and party leaders were confident that the PM’s visit would boost the victory prospects of the ruling AINRC-BJP combine.

During his visit to the union territory last month, the prime minister inaugurated projects worth over Rs 2,700 crore. The ruling All India NR Congress (AINRC) and the BJP are set to contest 16 and 10 seats, respectively.

NDA constituents, AIADMK and Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi, founded by Jose Charles Martin, were allotted 2 seats each.