Dhekiajuli gets ready to host Modi show again in Assam

GUWAHATI: After setting record in issuing appointment letters and enriching bank accounts of over 7.5 lakh tea workers, it’s time for another mega show of strength for the ruling BJP in poll-bound Assam when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur district tomorrow.

Modi is scheduled to launch the Asom Mala programme by virtually laying foundation of two medical colleges in Charaideo and Biswanath districts apart from addressing a rally.

After failing to draw crowd at Jerenga Pathar in Sivasagar district a fortnight ago, BJP sources said, the party has targeted a congregation of at least 5 lakh supporters. The Sivasagar rally managed to draw about 60,000 people with a sizeable number reportedly returning from midway to the venue as Modi arrived before schedule.

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Meanwhile, the entire state administration and the state BJP top brass continued to be camping at Dhekiajuli over the past week to ensure that all preparation were done without any glitch. The Assam government was left red faced at Sivasagar when the microphone malfunctioned during Modi’s address. He was in Sivasagar to launch distribution of land documents to 1 lakh indigenous landless beneficiaries.

Senior cabinet minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today took out a foot march in Dhekiajuli to keep about 15,000 party supporters engaged on the eve of Modi’s visit.

Opposition parties, including the Congress, have been critical of the BJP using tax payers’ money to entertain central party leadership, including Modi, Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman and others, during their repeated and frequent visits on the pretext of government programmes in the state.