Mufti, Mehbooba oversee all arrangements for PM’s rally

Legislators camping in their constituencies to mobilise impressive crowd for event

The ruling PDP and BJP are mobilising people across the Kashmir valley to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s November 7 public rally here a grand success.

Sources said Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who has been terming the upcoming visit of Modi “a turning point in the history of J&K” is directly supervising the arrangements for the rally along with his daughter and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti.

The Chief Minister has directed his party men, including ministers, legislators and parliamentarians, to ensure an impressive gathering at the Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium during the PM’s rally. All of them are camping in their respective constituencies to mobilise people for the rally.

“During a party meeting a few days ago, the legislators were asked by the PDP leadership to ensure at least 2,000 people from their respective constituencies,” said a party leader who attended the meeting. “The party legislators are directly in touch with the Chief Minister and the PDP president and update them about the day-to-day developments,” he added.

The Kashmir-centric PDP expects over 30,000 people to attend the rally. They also expect the announcement of a financial and political package by the PM on the occasion.

“We expect it to be a historical rally like that by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003 that changed the course of politics in the subcontinent. When people in large numbers will attend the rally, it will show their desire that they want to live in peace and that will be reciprocated by the PM, who will surely make historic announcements,” said a PDP minister.

Chief spokesman for the PDP Mehboob Beig said the party would ensure participation of people from all parts of Kashmir in the PM’s rally. “We will ensure that people from all localities attend the rally.”

The BJP is also in touch with the PDP leadership and they too have been mobilising resources to ensure public participation.

However, the only fear for the political parties and the police is the call for a parallel “million march” given by Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Geelani and supported by other separatist leaders. The police have detained 400 people to ensure a peaceful rally.

“They have been taken into preventive custody. Besides, those attending the rally will be scanned to ensure that there is no problem,” a police officer said.

DGP K Rajendra Kumar said all “necessary security arrangements” were being made for the PM’s visit.