Modi frenzy grips Bhubaneswar

PM breaks security protocol to walk with crowds in road show ahead of national executive meet

Grand entry: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for the national executive meeting in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

Security agencies were thrown into a tizzy when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, setting aside security protocol, stepped out of his bulletproof SUV and almost walked into the crowd during his nine-km roadshow here on Saturday.

Mr. Modi, who arrived to attend the BJP’s national executive committee meeting, was accorded a rousing reception by party workers right from the Biju Patnaik International Airport to Janata Maidan, the venue of the meeting.

Varanasi redux

Repeating his roadshows in Varanasi ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Mr. Modi stood up in his SUV and waved at the thousands of people who lined up on either side of the road as he drove past. Defying the security cordon, he got off his vehicle a couple of times, walked up to people, greeted them and even shook hands with some of them.

The break in protocol came at the Jayadev Vihar Square, where the party’s Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste wing leaders were waiting to welcome him. Special Protection Group personnel following Mr. Modi were expecting him to stop to acknowledge the party leaders’ welcome and return to the vehicle.

However, after meeting party leaders, the Prime Minister continued walking along Jayadev Vihar Road. The SPG guards, caught off guard, had a tough time throwing a security cordon as thousands of people, who had broken through the barricades, began walking with him, keeping step and chanting ‘Modi, Modi’ in excitement.

Earlier, as the special IAF helicopter carrying Mr. Modi touched down at the airport, thousands of BJP workers, who had been waiting for hours in the blazing sun, erupted in jubilation. Conches, drums and the traditional hulhuli (a celebratory ululation, usually performed by women on auspicious occasions) exploded as Prime Minister was received by Union Ministers Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan and other senior party leaders.

Mr. Modi first halted at the Airport square and waved to crowds after stepping out from his vehicle.

The BJP had planned the impressive road show to compensate for the absence of a public meeting which was ruled out given the scorching heat.

The entire 9.5 km stretch from Biju Patnaik International Airport to Janata Maidan was completely sanitised ahead of the Mr Modi’s arrival. Beyond the actual route of the convoy, almost the entire city was a sea of saffron with party flags and cut-outs of the Prime Minister.

BJP office bearers from districts with traditional dance troupes had taken position along the road show route and were in full swing as Mr Modi drove past. The party’s women’s wing accorded a traditional welcome to Mr. Modi near the Raj Bhawan where he had a brief halt.