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Lok Sabha polls 2019: Stage set for PM Modi’s Siliguri rally today

There was confusion on the venue of the PM rally as the BJP had sought a larger ground located opposite to the present venue at Kawakhali

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Stage set for PM Modi’s Siliguri rally today

The main dais for the PM will be around 10 feet high from the ground and 42 feet wide, while another dais will be between six and eight feet from the ground for other state party leaders. (SNS Photo)

Two daises, a VIP lounge for Morcha and GNLF leaders, green toilet, and a food menu from Delhi, the stage is set for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s date with Siliguri. As Mr Modi addresses the Siliguri rally at Kawakhali on the outskirts of town on Wednesday, around 100 closed circuit TV cameras will keep watch over the event, while the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital is ready to provide emergency services in the event of any untoward situation.

Sources said plainclothes police personnel would also be deployed at the rally, along with the regular police force.

There was confusion on the venue of the PM’s proposed Siliguri rally, as the BJP had sought a larger ground located opposite to the present venue. Also, following the refusal of the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) to grant permission to use the ground, the BJP had shortlisted a railway ground at Ambikanagar. The SJDA later granted permission for the BJP to use the ground at Kawakhali for the rally.

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The Special Protection Group (SPG), which took charge of the ground, examined the security aspects of the venue and supervised preparations for the daises. The main dais for the PM will be around 10 feet high from the ground and 42 feet wide, while another dais will be between six and eight feet from the ground for other state party leaders.

“The venue has the capacity to accommodate above two lakh people, but we are sure that more people will be coming as Narendra Modi is a popular leader worldwide. The SPG and the police will be looking for security breaches,”said president of the Siliguri Organisational District of the BJP, Abhijit Roy Chowdhury.

A VIP lounge has also been set up for leaders of the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (Bimal Gurung faction) and the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) at the rally venue. The BJP-nominated election candidate for the Darjeeling LS seat, Raju Bista, who enjoys the backing of the GJMM (Gurung faction) and the GNLF, will be accompanying the prime minister on the dais, it is learnt.

As per party sources, a green room and a green toilet have been prepared for Mr Modi. Along with that, a food menu has arrived from Delhi, according to which food will be served.

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