Tech touch to Narendra Modi rally

BHUBANESWAR: Gujarat chief minister and BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's proposed February rally here is going to be a high-tech affair with mobile phones, internet and special electronic gadgets being lined up to make his speech reach almost everyone in the state.
The party on Saturday held a preparatory meet. Attended by nearly 200 state and district functionaries, the day was devoted to the nitty-gritty of Modi rally.The second day would focus on parliament and assembly candidates and party network in the state.
"Many people want to attend the Modi rally in Bhubaneswar. It is going to be mother of all rallies, never before seen in Odisha," party spokesman Suresh Pujari said. He said special arrangements are being made for people who can listen to Modi's speech through mobile phones as well, for which a special number would be announced soon.
"We will put up screens in villages, market places and other cities so that people can watch him live," Pujari said. "A technical expert team for making the arrangements would soon arrive here from Delhi," he pointed out. "This kind of experiment was earlier tried and proved successful in other areas, including Mumbai, Lucknow and Ranchi," he added.
Though BJP leaders admitted that party's state network had become weak, they nevertheless asserted 'shortcomings would be taken care of in the near future'.
Senior party leaders had a closed-door meeting before addressing the general meeting.
BJP state president K V Singhdeo had recently said the party had engaged an independent agency to assess the ground reality, based on which candidates would be selected.
"We will not compromise on public accessibility of candidates," Singhdeo said. He said the party is 'confident of doing very well in Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Odisha would contribute a sizeable number of MPs to party's target of 272," he said.
"The BJP with Modi as its prime ministerial candidate has created a new hope amongst the people all over the country. We will win the battle and come to power," said party leader Dharmendra Pradhan.
BJP central leader Chandan Mitra, who came to attend the two-day session, ruled out any alliance with BJD. "There is no permanent friend or enemy in politics. But as on date BJP has no plan to join hands with BJD. We will fight the elections alone and are confident of victory," Mitra said.