Amit Shah, who managed the BJP’s 2014 Lok Sabha campaign in the key State of Uttar Pradesh, may just surprise the party’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, for once.
The BJP general secretary is now planning victory celebrations for Mr. Modi in Varanasi which, party sources said, would be ‘unparalleled’.
“The entire Varanasi will come out on to the streets. Even Modiji does not know what awaits him. It’s Amit Shah’s surprise for him,” a functionary in Lucknow told The Hindu .
Mr. Modi is scheduled to visit Varanasi on Saturday, a day after the results are declared, to thank voters and perform a Ganga Aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat. A visit to the Kashi Vishwanath temple is also on the cards.
The RSS, which closely managed Mr. Modi’s campaign in Varanasi, is also meticulously planning the victory celebrations. It proposes to float a 20-foot electronic lotus in the Ganga to mark the BJP and Mr. Modi’s win. The lotus will be tied with a rope to large boats.
However, the plan is still under consideration as the event may raise concerns from anti-pollution groups, according to an RSS functionary.
To electrify the atmosphere, the BJP has planned a massive fireworks display and processions in all Assembly segments of the constituency. “It will be nothing less than the spectacle of Diwali festivities,” the functionary said. In Lucknow, the BJP headquarters is gearing up to launch big celebrations on Friday. A huge LCD screen would be put up at the headquarters for the benefit of party workers.The party has placed orders for firecrackers and sweets.
Sundarakand ritualOn Thursday evening, party members performed the Sundarakand ritual at the office. In the Ramayana, Sundarakand depicts the adventures of Lord Hanuman. “This ritual is performed before any auspicious event. We performed it to pray for our victory,” said party spokesman Manoj Mishra.
BJP president Rajnath Singh will land in Lucknow on Friday evening and interact with party workers.
