PM Modi's Ghaziabad Roadshow: BJP's Western Uttar Pradesh Campaign Gears Up | Traffic Advisory For Today

Preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow in Ghaziabad on Saturday evening have been completed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is focusing on securing victory in 13 Lok Sabha seats in western Uttar Pradesh.

The BJP's candidate from Ghaziabad, sitting MLA Atul Garg, had his nomination accepted after scrutiny on Friday. Ghaziabad is scheduled for polling on April 26, in the second phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Photo Credit: PTI

PM Modi's Ghaziabad Roadshow

Star campaigners such as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have already been brought in by the BJP to conduct meetings and rallies in Ghaziabad. Adityanath held an "intellectuals' meet" on March 27, while Singh organized a rally at Ghanta Ghar Ramlila Ground on April 3.

Modi's roadshow, scheduled for Saturday, will cover about 800 meters of Ambedkar Road, from Maliwara to Chaudhary Morh, passing through major markets, residential colonies, offices, and commercial establishments. According to BJP office-bearers, the roadshow is expected to positively impact 13 seats in western Uttar Pradesh, including Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, Meerut, and Baghpat, as reported by Hindustan Times.

"It is anticipated that the roadshow by the PM will have an impact on 13 seats in western Uttar Pradesh. These include Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, Meerut, and Baghpat, among others. The roadshow will enthuse party workers and motivate them to secure a thumping win for our candidates," said Chandra Mohan, BJP spokesperson (Uttar Pradesh).

Sources within the party acknowledged that there are "issues" in seats such as Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, Baghpat, and Meerut due to various caste equations and the denial of tickets to certain candidates who had strong winning prospects.

Reacting to the proposed rally by Modi, Congress office-bearers remarked that by bringing in its top leaders so early in the campaign, the BJP is acknowledging that "something is amiss in the Ghaziabad seat."

"The BJP is bringing in its top leaders at the outset because they have sensed that all is not well in Ghaziabad, and they are apprehensive about losing that seat. Consequently, their top leaders are intervening to rectify matters. If they eventually lose the seat, the candidates will be held accountable rather than the leadership," said Vinit Tyagi, Congress district president, as reported by Hindustan Times.

"All these tactics will not affect our chances as our candidate is strong and has the support of INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc partners," Tyagi added.

The Ghaziabad seat is considered a BJP bastion, according to political experts. Rajnath Singh won the seat in 2009, while Gen VK Singh (retired) emerged victorious in 2014 and 2019. However, he was denied a ticket this time in favour of Garg. BJP office-bearers noted that preparations for the roadshow on Ambedkar Road are underway, including fresh painting of central verges and the relocation of electricity poles from the roadside.

Check Traffic Advisory For Today, Security Beefed Up

A multi-layered security arrangement has been implemented on Ambedkar Road for Modi's roadshow in Ghaziabad, as announced by the Ghaziabad police. The exact deployment figure was not disclosed, but it is estimated that approximately 6,000 personnel will be on duty on Saturday.

"Security personnel have been deployed both on the ground and on rooftops. Individuals attending the roadshow will undergo security screening before accessing the route and will be provided with an armband indicating clearance. The traffic police have issued detailed traffic diversions and restrictions will be in effect from noon until the conclusion of the roadshow," stated Dinesh Kumar P, additional commissioner of police, reported Hindustan Times.

According to the traffic advisory, the movement of heavy and commercial vehicles will be restricted at seven major points from 1 pm on Saturday until the end of the event. Beginning at 2 pm, the movement of roadways/private/city buses will be restricted at these seven points. Private two-wheeler and four-wheeler vehicles will face restrictions from 3 pm onwards on 14 major road stretches, as confirmed by officials, as per media reports.

The 14 restricted points include: Rakesh Marg to Chaudhary Morh; Lohia Nagar Tiraha to Old Bus Stand; RDC Bridge Hapur Chungi Side to Old Bus Stand; Sihani Gate Police Station to Old Bus Stand; Ghukna Mode to Meerut Tiraha; Siddharth Vihar intersection to Meerut Tiraha; Basant Chowk to Maliwara Chowk; Ramte Ram Road to Maliwara Chowk; Ramte Ram Road to Chaudhary Mode/Ghantaghar; Gaushala to Dudhevshranath Temple; Vijaynagar Dhobi Ghat Railway Bridge to Chaudhary Morh; Meerut Tiraha U-turn to Hapur Tiraha; Nandgram Tiraha to Meerut Tiraha; and Rotary Roundabout to Hindon River Metro station.