If the BJP’s victory in the 16th lok Sabha polls was monumental, then the gripping enthusiasm exhibited by its party supporters to welcome PM-designate Narendra Modi in the Capital was also not far behind. Thousands gathered to witness the first visit of Modi to Delhi after he led his party to a historic win on Friday. The massive show of strength began right from the IGI Airport where he landed and followed him till the party’s headquarters at Ashoka Road.
It was a tsunami of people at the IGI Airport on Saturday with thousands of party workers and supporters eagerly waiting for the PM-elect to land in the national Capital. Massive crowds were seen from as early as 8 am even as Modi’s arrival was scheduled for 10 am. From bands to dancers and from firecrackers to flowers, the roadshow had everything in plenty.
It was at 10:50 am that Modi landed in Delhi. As soon as the news of his arrival spread among the awaiting supporters, the brass bands and dancers sprung into action. The air was filled with colors and flower petals while a hue of saffron flared in the form of hundreds of party flags. The PM-designate was received at the airport by a number of senior BJP leaders, including party chief Rajnath Singh. All the winning candidates from the seven parliamentary constituencies ensured their presence at the airport.
The mammoth gathering at the airport threw scores of flight takers in a tizzy as they had to juggle their way inside the airport. Those who were leaving from the airport were left stranded for almost half an hour as roads were closed to let the cavalcade of Modi leave first.Supporters lined the streets, showering him with flowers en route to BJP headquarters - a distance of about 16 kms from the IGI airport. Standing at the footboard of his brown Scorpio, the PM-elect waved to the cheering crowds who were in saffron caps and Modi T-shirts. As the crowds went ‘Modi Modi’ there were many admirers of his ‘dressing sense’. Modi had worn a sky blue Nehru jacket over a grey kurta.
Security was very tight and police lined the route and special armed forces personnel were deployed. Escorted by elite commandos, Modi was greeted by supporters at various places like Dhaula Kuan, 11 Murti, Mother Teresa Crescent and Teen Murti Marg along the route from the airport to the party headquarters at Ashoka Road. BJP workers on motorcycles waving party flags were part of the road show.
To ensure highest security throughout the show, a multi-layer security cover was in place in the city with hundreds of policemen and NSG commandos deployed. Policemen were manning the security arrangements en route the road show and security personnel had been stationed on high-rise buildings on the route to spot any suspicious activities. Snipers had also been deployed and anti-sabotage checks were carried out on the route.
On reaching the BJP headquarters, Modi briefly addressed the supporters by saying he was thankful to them for rekindling ‘new hope’ through their hard work. “As a person, I request all of you not to give credit for this victory to me. It is a result of hard work of lakhs of workers. This victory belongs to those four-five generations who have toiled hard since 1952,” he said.