PM Narendra Modi's vibrant roadshow captivates Palakkad, draws half a lakh people

PALAKKAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow in an open jeep thrilled BJP workers on the flower-strewn streets of Palakkad. People, including women, waited on both sides of the road from 8:30 am chanting slogans non-stop in the 39-degree Celsius heat.

Half a lakh people lined up from Palakkad Kotta Maidan Anchuvilak to the head post office, awaiting Modi, who arrived in Kerala for the first time after the election was announced. It was 10:35 when the Prime Minister landed in a helicopter at the Mercy College ground at 10:15 and proceeded near the five lights for the roadshow.

Wearing a white kurta, a black-bordered kasav shawl, and a saffron cap, Modi was received by BJP Kerala Prabhari Prakash Javadekar, District President Haridas, Palakkad Municipality Chairperson Pramila Sasidharan and Deputy Chairperson Krishnadas. As Modi got into the decorated open jeep, the workers erupted in excitement. BJP state president K Surendran, NDA Palakkad and Ponnani candidates C. Krishnakumar and Nivedita Subramanian accompanied him.

The roadshow, which started at 10:45 am, reached the head post office premises after passing the District Hospital, Co-operative Hospital, Urban Bank, Ganapati Temple and Sultanpet Junction. It took 35 minutes to complete the 900-meter roadshow.

The Prime Minister reached Palakkad 15 minutes later than previously scheduled. After the roadshow, he proceeded to the Mercy College grounds and then to Salem, Tamil Nadu. Besides SPG, ADGP Ajit Kumar, IG K. Sethuraman, DIG Ajita Begam, SP R Anand and others led the security.