Tag: Political Rallies

BJP's Pankaja Munde On Dussehra Rallies

Our Rally Is Not Political: BJP’s Pankaja Munde On Dussehra Rallies

By LokMarg

Maharashtra BJP leader and former minister Pankaja Munde on Wednesday said that she would like to hear both Shiv Sena factions in their respective Dussehra rallies and extend good wishes to them.

Talking to the media, Pankaja Munde said that her party’s rally is not political but for the common people of society.
Notably, the Dussehra rallies of Eknath Shinde-led Sena and Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena are to be held today at different venues in Maharashtra after a months-long tug of war over the rally. The Bombay High Court ruled in favor of the Thackeray-led Sena faction and allowed them to hold the Dussehra rally at the Shivaji Park on September 23.

The tussle between the Shinde-led faction and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led faction was on for weeks and the decision came only after multiple brawls came to the fore.

“We talk about the subjects on which our supporters and unprivileged people expect from us. Our rally is not a political rally, but I would like to hear both factions. Let’s see on which issues they are going to talk,” Pankaja Munde said.

Pankaja Munde said that our rally is to be held in the crowded district, our rally is not for the political but for the common society.

Pankaja, talking about the real ‘Sena’ said that she would not speak anything about it. “I will not say anything about this as I consider myself too small to comment on it.”

There are three Dussehra rallies to be held in Maharashtra today, one in the Beed district and two in Mumbai.

Earlier on Monday, both the Shiv Sena factions released video trailers of the rally that would be conducted at two different venues in accordance with the court decision. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s led-faction was seen drawing parallels between both groups.

Releasing a video on a social media platform, the group called for people’s presence in numbers at Bombay Kurla Complex. It also mentioned that national issues would be discussed during the gathering and inspirational speeches would be given that would last as an oxygen supply for one whole year. The teaser also stressed party workers and appreciation of their efforts.

Comparing the other side, the video made a veiled attack and showed words that the other section will focus on including betrayal, manhood, etc.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction will also hold a Dussehra rally at Shivaji park, Dadar. Their teaser starts with the voice of Uddhav Thackeray quoting Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj stating that one should never backstab but if one does then one should not be left alive.

Calling the event historic, the Shiv Sena leader stressed that he has nothing left for himself but only the power that people have given him. He further goes on to call the gathering a full-packed event of his “Thackeray family”, and says that every attendee has Bala Saheb Thackeray in their heart and the bond is unbreakable.

The video ends with excerpts of former CM Thackeray’s interview instructing the attendees on responsible and disciplined behavior during the celebrations at the rally. NCP leaders, on the other hand, aligned with the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction.

“There’ll be 2 Dussehra rallies in Maharashtra. One that will be as per the ideals of Bala Saheb Thackeray is a rally by Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. Though matter related to real Shiv Sena is pending with ECI, as per NCP, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena is real Shiv Sena,” said NCP leader M Tapse.

Earlier Shinde on Sunday said that they will not challenge the Bombay High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court for allowing the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction to hold the Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.

“We respect the Bombay High Court’s decision and will not challenge it in the Supreme Court,” said Shinde. (ANI)

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Times are Changing in A Digital World

‘Election Rallies Were Like Festivals; Digital Meets Are No Fun’

By LokMarg

Pradeep Bali from Bagpat (UP) says rural voters used to make preparation in advance to attend a political rally but times are changing in a digital world

Before Covid struck Uttar Pradesh, election rallies used to be like community festivals. People would get excited to know about a political public meeting in their vicinity; preparations of logistics, groupings will begin a few days in advance. Excitement would be in the air. But after the Election Commission banned public rallies due to Corona in this election, the punch is gone. Virtual rallies (where a small gathering listens to the leaders before a TV screen) hardly carries the same thrill.

Going to a rally was an event. You selected your best outfit, ensured your seat in the bus, or the vehicles to the rally-bound spot and arranged for a flag, headgear or stole matching with the party you supported… There would be a competition of sorts amongst the participants to stand out.

Virtual rallies miss out on that. The gatherings are smaller, there is little cheering and although some people say this is the future of political rallies, I believe it will take many years when a digital public meeting can connect with the masses, at least in Uttar Pradesh or India.

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Take, for example, the virtual rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh) a day before. Several LED TV screens were placed in several vantage points for the participants but the telecast often got disrupted. National netas were at the mercy of a service provider for their broadcast. At some places, people were looking at a blank screen, merely listening to the speech via speakers.

I will also let out a secret here. Quite often, local organisers paid a small amount to the participants from various villages to reach the venue. Now, they set up screens at vantage points close to villages in a constituency.

Bali (inset) says the future belongs to online addresses

At times when two big political opponents held public addresses in close proximity, their rivalry required arranging larger crowds. Many villagers benefited from it as they were given a conveyance or convenience payment to attend the meeting. The compensation could be from ₹200 to ₹500. Virtual rallies took it away.

Nonetheless, our youngsters say virtual rallies are the future as we go towards a Digital India. For, maintaining law and order at such gatherings is a headache for the police and the administration. Stampedes are also a part of such gatherings. Also, there are fights for a vantage seating to have a glimpse of the leader and take selfies. Virtual rallies are better managed.

A virtual rally in Uttar Pradesh

From what I have read in newspapers, there are over 150 crore android phones in use in Uttar Pradesh. Among these, 80 to 90 crore are in rural areas. See the participation of voters….Our rural voters are more concerned and their participation is more than the urban populace.

So even though at present, only the educated and those with better internet connectivity are able to attend the virtual rallies, the immediate future will turn things around. The rural voters like us will be the toast of the town, with affordable smartphones in hands and the focus of political leaders seeking votes.

As told to Rajat Rai