At the busy intersection of the Mahal chowk in Nagpur city, a life-size replica of Ram Lalla's idol stands alongside the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Commuters and passersby stop to adore the standing idol of infant Ram, some seek blessings, some selfies. Surrounded by a mosque, a temple and construction site of a commercial mall, and hordes of hawkers, the junction is buzzing with Muslim families out for Eid celebrations and shoppers buying clothes, shoes and bags. Yellow fairy lights hang on both sides of the streets and saffron flags are hoisted atop every commercial structure and shops.
The first phase of voting begins in Nagpur on April 19, but the city of Maharashtra is devoid of election banners or hoardings of major political parties' leaders. Nagpur is instead seeped in saffron shades and tableaus of lord Ram. Saffron coloured flags of Lord Ram or Jai Shri Ram and pennant banners ahead of the Ram Navmi festivity on April 17.
바카라We celebrate Ram Navami on a large scale, but this is the first time there are such big idols and tableaus ten days before the festival,바카라 Parag Goyal remarked. Mahal area and the neighbouring Reshimbaug are the political pilgrim centers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Sangh바카라s headquarters, its training center and its founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar바카라s birthplace as well as union minister and BJP MP Nitin Gadkari바카라s residence are all located within a 2 km radius. Saffron flags, hoisted around the time of Ram temple바카라s inauguration, still hang outside every door and balcony of residential houses and shops. And at every little distance, tableaus of lord Ram are set up by enthusiastic Sangh supporters, majority of whom are BJP supporters.
Ram Mandir바카라s inauguration in January, was a milestone achievement for the Sangh and was borne out of its long and contentious communal, legal and political battle against the Muslim communities. 바카라The Pran Pratistha ceremony has added josh in this year바카라s celebrations,바카라 says Gauri Abhinay Muthmari.
Traditionally, Nagpur celebrates birth of lord Ram with pooja, and processions called Shobha Yatras that are carried across the city by youngsters, women and children. But the festival바카라s clash with the Lok Sabha elections, has presented a perfect opportunity for the BJP to place Ram and the Ram temple as part of their campaigning strategy.
At BJP바카라s rally in Ramtek constituency on April 11, PM Modi was welcomed by the crowd with the chants of Jai Shri Ram. 바카라Our Ram Tek is that place which has lord Ram바카라s footprints. This Ram Navmi, our lord Ram will not be in a tent in Ayodhya, but he gives darshan in a grand temple,바카라 Modi said amidst thundering applause and hoots of whistles. 바카라This blessing has come after 500 years, and the entire country and Ram Tek is joyous. But do not forget, when the time for Pran Pratistha, the INDI alliance condemned it, rejected the invitation. These people attack Sanatan (religion), they vow to wipe out Sanatan belief.바카라
Lord Ram and Ram temple was mentioned as one of the key achievements of the BJP government바카라s five year in power by chief minister Eknath Shinde, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and other BJP leaders in their speeches at the rally.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath promised voters at a rally on April 9, that all arrangements will be made in Ayodhya when they will come to visit the temple. 바카라You all cast your vote on the lotus symbol and make Gadkari win by a massive slide and keep the momentum of the country바카라s development.바카라
BJP candidate Nitin Gadkari and his opponent Congress leader Vikas Thakre have stayed away from seeking votes by displaying political posters. Two-time MP, Gadkari바카라s popularity is ubiquitous in Nagpur. He is widely respected by the masses and political rivals and is clearly Vidarbha region바카라s favorite political leader. Gadkari바카라s name and work is enough, he doesn바카라t need to campaign, BJP workers said. He is credited for not just elevating Nagpur바카라s political stature but also transforming the city바카라s transport and roadways infrastructure during his tenure. The city has minimal traffic and is blessed with envious quality of CC roads, wide footpaths and four lines of metro cutting across the city and connecting its extended townships.
Thakre, MLA from West Nagpur and former mayor and corporator has a strong local connect and is known for his work at the ground level. He too believes letting his work speak. In Amebedkar nagar and Dalit vastis, Bahujan Samajwadi Party leader Yogesh Lanjewar, has put up few hoardings. On Thursday, BSP chief Mayawati held her first rally in Indora, gaining momentum for his campaign.
The only political figure whose large size hoardings declaring Phir ek baar Modi Sarkar and abki baar 400 paar is of BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Donning Peshwa pagdi and bamboo hat, Modi바카라s hoardings are displayed at prominent traffic junctions, roundabouts and main streets.
Elsewhere, in the city, only the saffron flags visibly stand out against the unseasonal grey skies, and in the political speeches and rallies, chants of lord Ram.
