One of the prime reasons of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s skyrocketing popularity and huge success is that he ensures judicious use of every minute of his time. Since beginning, he loves interacting with people and sharing his views and vision with them. It was witnessed by the people of Saharanpur District in Uttar Pradesh on September 11, when Shri Modi reached there and addressed a hurriedly organised but mammoth public meeting.
Basically, Shri Modi was scheduled to go to Rishikesh from Chandigarh on September 11. He had to change the aeroplane at Sarsava aerodrome, which required about 20 to 25 minutes. Shri Modi ensured that he utilise those 25 minutes to interact with the people of Saharanpur.
BJP national president Shri Amit Shah on September 9 directed the Western Uttar Pradesh party workers to organise a public meeting near Sarsava. The party workers identified a place, but the District Administration denied permission saying the place was unfit for the security of the Prime Minister. Then the party decided to organise the rally at a place that the District Administration cleared. Finally, a place in Saroorpur Village was identified and cleared by the Administration.
The charismatic leadership and magical influence of Modiji can be understood from the fact that he reached Saharanpur at 2 pm when the temperature was 40 degree Celsius, but he was looking fresh and energetic.
In his speech, he first thanked the people for gifting the BJP with 73 Lok Sabha seats and said it was because of their support that the NDA could form a government at the Centre. He urged the people to shower similar blessings to the BJP in Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections to be held in 2017.
The way the District Administration first refused permission for the rally, it appears that the State government feared from this visit. If party president Shri Amit Shah had not shown determination and toughness the meeting would not have been possible. However, everything was not well during the rally. Although the Administration had apprehensions about security of Modiji, but it remained careless during the rally.
The post of Saharanpur Police Commissioner is vacant after the retirement of Tanveer Zafar Ali on August 30. Meerut Zone IG Alok Sharma was on leave. Only DIG Saharanpur Dr Ashok Kumar Raghav, District Magistrate Pawan Kumar and SSP Nitin Tewari looked after all arrangements of the rally.
State Governor Shri Ram Naik too was not aware of the Prime Minister’s visit in Saharanpur. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also did not reach Saharanpur to welcome the Prime Minister. State Labour Minister Shahid Manzoor welcomed the PM. Though, there were many shortcomings in the security at the venue, but the party workers were alert. DIG Dr Ashok Raghav said they had made full proof security. Even then he admitted that some more arrangements could have been made.
—Surender Singhal, Saharanpur
