Rail projects, Punjabi speech, AAP attack: Inside PM Modi's Jalandhar visit
Punjab's Jalandhar was transformed into a sea of BJP flags, hoardings and security barricades as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived to inaugurate railway projects, flag
Punjab's Jalandhar was transformed into a sea of BJP flags, hoardings and security barricades as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived to inaugurate railway projects, flag off a new train and address a massive public rally, launching a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government in the state. With PM Modi's visit drawing large crowds and elaborate security arrangements, the political significance of the trip was hard to miss as Punjab moves closer to another election cycle. Read Full Story I left Chandigarh at 8.30 am in a cab for the coverage, with Jalandhar around 147 kilometres away. Although the distance could have been covered in a shorter time, my team and I decided to leave early to avoid traffic diversions and congestion expected ahead of the Prime Minister's visit. By around 10.30 am, we had entered Jalandhar and were more than a kilometre away from the main venue, Jalandhar Cantt Railway station.
The entire route leading to the venue had been decked up for the Prime Minister's visit. JALANDHAR DECKED UP FOR PM MODI BJP flags, hoardings, posters and billboards featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi dotted the route. Pictures of other national leaders and the BJP's top brass also covered the area. BJP supporters were seen across the route, with many arriving specifically to attend Modi's rally. What stood out was the cleanliness around the venue, along with newly built roads and improved infrastructure in the surroundings of the Jalandhar Cantt Railway station. The railway station itself had been redeveloped at a cost of Rs 125 crore. PM MODI'S CHOPPER LANDS, RAILWAY PROJECTS LAUNCHED Media personnel were not allowed inside the Jalandhar Cantt Railway station. The Prime Minister's chopper landed at around 3.45 pm, following which Modi reached the railway platform minutes later.
He unveiled the redeveloped railway station and flagged off the Amritsar-Varanasi Sant Ravidas Express. Through a video link, Modi also virtually inaugurated 75 more railway stations across the country. The railway inaugurations were followed by the public rally, where the Prime Minister walked onto the stage to loud cheers from the crowd. GREEN TURBAN, PUNJABI SPEECH AND AAP ATTACK Wearing a dark green turban, PM Modi began his address in Punjabi, drawing an enthusiastic response from the audience. As the crowd raised chants of "Modi, Modi", the Prime Minister spoke about the work undertaken by his government and launched a sharp political attack on Punjab's Aam Aadmi Party government. The rally became a mix of development announcements and political messaging, with the BJP using the high-profile visit to project its presence in the state. TRAFFIC SNARLS AFTER RALLY Once the speech ended, Modi left the stage and the crowd began exiting the rally venue.
The BriefWire