In Photos: MODIfied crowd at the Maha Garjana rally

Rediff photographer Reuben NV captures the triumphant mood of the people who had come out in full force to listen to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

“Vote for India.” scream women supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party in unison with the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at the ‘maha Garjana’ rally at MMRDA grounds in Bandra-Kurla Complex.

Text and photographs: Reuben NV

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This batch of BJP supporters, who had travelled for more than 24 hours from Goregaon taluka in Gondia district, Maharashtra, rest on the Bandra Skywalk that connects Kala Nagar in Bandra east.

It would be another 30-minute walk for these supporters before they reached MMRDA grounds in Bandra-Kurla Complex, where Modi was to address the rally.

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Tired supporters wash their faces outside a public toilet outside Kala Nagar in Mumbai. The attendant at the toilet said he had been awake since 2 am, when people started pouring in from different parts of Maharashtra.

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Mumbai suburban BEST buses were booked to ferry people from major points in Mumbai to the MMRDA grounds.

The BJP had hired 300 BEST buses to ferry supporters from various pick up points such as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Dadar and Mumbai Central railway stations. 

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Villagers with Modi banners on their way to the ground pass through the glitzy corporate offices that dot the BKC. 

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When nature calls: Participants of the Maha Garjana rally relieve themselves at the roadside.

There were a few mobile toilets available near the venue but they were obviously inadequate to satisfy the needs of a huge crowd that had come to hear Modi. 

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Security was tight, as expected. Everyone was thoroughly frisked, scanned and identity cards properly checked.

(Right) A lady policewoman checks a woman’s bag inside the ground. Many people were checked and double-checked. The Mumbai police was not in a mood to let any untoward incident mar the proceedings. 

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Pandals (sheltered roofs) were available for a selected few. The common men and women braved the sun for more than seven hours. They had arrived at the ground around 9 am and were there until the rally ended at 4 pm.

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Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh is greeted by Ashish Shelar, Mumbai BJP president as Additional Commissioner of Police and one of the many heroes of 26/11 attacks on Mumbai, Vishwas Nangre-Patil looks on.

The trio discussed security arrangements at the venue.

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All for a change: Youths in orange tees, part of NaMo brigade sweating it out at the rally. The youth in light blue tees were part of Mumbai BJP’s social media wing.

‘I want my country to be MODIfied, as a secure, prosperous and dignified Nation, do you?’ read a banner on a t-shirt. 

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Shaina Nana Chudasama, state BJP treasurer and Pankaja Munde-Palwe, daughter of former Maharashtra chief minister Gopinath Munde were busy interacting with women cadre at the rally. 

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A woman at the VIP enclave listens intently as Modi delivers his Maha Garjana. 

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A foreign tourist among the crowd is all attention along with the women supporters of BJP.

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Delegates from the Russian consulate are amused at the goings-on at the rally. There were specially designated seats for diplomats who were invited at the rally. Interestingly, one did not see any seats reserved for diplomats from the United States and Britain. 

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BJP supporters braved the heat to listen to Modi. Women constables kept a keen watch over the crowd. 

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A place under the sun: An old woman tries to find some space to sit in the crowd.

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A policewoman enjoys a light moment with members of the crowd. 

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 ‘I am MODIfied’ puns this young girl in the crowd. 

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People are amused to see this man dressed as Hanuman, emerge from the crowd. 

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This woman registers her support for BJP, by giving a missed call to a number that was repeatedly announced by BJP office bearers before Modi began his address. 

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BJP supporters shout slogans supporting Modi. 

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BJP flags flutter in a strong breeze that passes the BKC ground offering respite to sun-soaked supporters.