JD-U gears up for show of strength before 2014 elections

The nervy leaders of the ruling Janta Dal-United (JD-U) are leaving no stone unturned for a show of strength on Sunday. Till now, four trains and most of private buses in the state have been booked for the "Adhikar Rally" in Patna. However, the rally, orgainsed for putting pressure on the central government to accord special status to Bihar, is not without its fair share of controversies.

The state capital, Patna, has been painted green in the preparation of the rally. There is not a single road in city left, where one cannot see the posters, hoardings and banners for the rally. Big gates have been erected with bamboos to welcome the people coming to participate in this rally. It is being seen as an attempt to show the huge popularity of the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar before 2014 general elections. "There will be no space in the Gandhi Maidan on 4th November," said Shyam Rajak, state food and supplies minister and senior leader of JD-U, "it will be jam packed with people. I am not exaggerating; you will see it on Sunday." Party leaders are keeping mum on the expected turnout of the people, however sources indicates that it to be around a million.

The party leadership has especially instructed MPs and MLAs to make elaborate arrangements for the transportation of the people. Till today, 4 trains and 20,000 buses have been booked by the party leader to ferry the supporters from different parts of the state.