Journalism of Courage
Grammar of rallies has been re-written by tech blitz involved in BJP PM candidate’s meetings. (IE Photo: Kashif Masood)
Ravi, like Modi, prides himself on being a firebrand orator. He loves his own voice as well. He launches into a full-fledged speech about the misdeeds of the UPA government. It does not matter to him that he is speaking only to empty chairs and the people unloading them. (IE Photo: Kashif Masood)
.Narendra Modi rallies have, in recent times, gone on to become full-fledged stage productions involving light, sound, carefully chosen music, stage design and sky cameras -- all intended to enhance viewer experience and build the Modi brand. (IE Photo: Kashif Masood)
The grammar of political rallies has been largely re-written by the tech blitz involved in the Gujarat Chief Minister’s meetings. The rallies are no longer places where you chomp on peanuts, sip tea, brave the sun and wait among masses for the headlining speaker to deliver a monologue. (IE Photo: Kashif Masood)
For the BJP in Hubli-Dharwad, one of the biggest challenges ahead of the Modi rally was finding the right venue. With over two lakh people expected, the traditional grounds -- Nehru Maidan and the Railway Sports Ground in Hubli -- were rendered out of bounds by local authorities. (IE Photo: Kashif Masood)
Finally, it was decided that 63 acres of jowar fields located around 2 km outside the city and recently acquired by a few real estate developers of Hubli would be appropriate. “The land belongs to a few local developers and one of our leaders, Ashok Katti, owns about 17 acres. This is being used due to security and traffic concerns,” says Veeresh Sanglad, the Dharwad spokesman for the BJP. (IE Photo: Kashif Masood)
In the course of his speech at the rally, Modi would make a reference to the owners who allowed the land to be used, but add that the owners are farmers. “When farmers give their land for a rally like this, it also means they will give their votes,” is how he frames his political message. (IE Photo: Kashif Masood)
The inputs for his speech at any particular rally as well as the security at that venue are issues on which Modi and his office are personally involved. The rest is standard procedure, with the local BJP leadership now well drilled in it. (IE Photo: Kashif Masood)
