Bihar allows only half of Gandhi Maidan for Modi’s Patna rally,BJP cries foul

Former deputy chief minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi told The Indian Express: “We had applied for the use of Gandhi Maidan six months ago to avoid clash of any function at the only big venue available in the state capital. We wanted a written permission from the Patna district administration and were shocked to learn that we are permitted to use only half of the venue.”

Modi said the Hunkar rally would be a big occasion that can draw a huge crowd. “This is nothing but an attempt to scuttle our democratic rights. The rally will attract a huge crowd and we need to use entire Gandhi Maidan on October 27 to accommodate party workers and audience,” said Modi accusing,JD(U) of adopting a “confrontationist approach”.

Patna district magistrate N Sravana Kumar did not respond to The Indian Express query on the matter. JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP and national spokesperson K C Tyagi,however,said: “Political leaders have nothing to do with administrative decision. This is a pure administrative matter and nothing should be read into it.”

Sources said BJP,which has been lying low politically after NDA split,wants to use “Narendra Modi rally as a big occasion to chart course” of its politics. JD(U) has also started going to Assembly segment to hold public rallies and galvanise party workers for countering BJP’s onslaught.