Modi rally to see statecraft, stagecraft

For Delhi visit, BJP puts in place stage effects to awe

Envoys of 36 foreign countries, a state-of-the-art line array sound system in the form of an arc, liquid crystal display (LCD) systems to make him visible, seen and heard all over Delhi… The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leaving no stone unturned to make Sunday's rally, to be addressed by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, a huge success. This will be Modi's first rally in the capital after he was named the party's prime ministerial candidate.

Everyone is welcome, no invitation cards, except mosquitoes. Special arrangements are in place to eliminate mosquitoes from the venue, the massive Japanese Garden in West Delhi. An event management team is handling the behind-the-scenes arrangements so that leaders are made comfortable, because several envoys from foreign countries, business leaders, senior bureaucrats and others will be attending. The stage enclosure will take up 20,000 square feet. "There will be three stages, with the main measuring 80x40 sq feet. It's a two-level stage of eight feet height with the central podium at 10 feet height," said Sudhanshu Mittal, one of the main organisers.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has put in place special arrangements so that those attending the rally face no inconvenience.

For the moment, the BJP has put internal differences aside. Delhi chief Vijender Gupta, a senior, is working with Vijay Goel and is making a special effort to stay in tune with his rivals. "The first thing is to win (the election). Everything else is secondary," a BJP leader said.