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Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United has hired four trains and more than 10,000 buses to ferry party workers and supporters for its 'Adhikar Rally' on November 4 in Patna. M I Khan reports.
The rally is part of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's bid to put pressure on the Centre to provide special status to Bihar for speedy economic development of the state.
JD-U leaders said that two party members of Parliament, a member of Legislative Assembly, and other party leaders have booked four special trains to transport supporters for the rally from different parts of the state.
The rally special trains would originate from Raxaul, Saharsa, Bagaha and Shekhpura districts for Patna. The train from Raxaul has been booked in the name of JD-U Rajya Sabha MP Sabir Ali and another train had been booked by the party MP from Bagaha, Baidyanath Mahto.
A party MLA from Warsaliganj Pradip Kumar has booked the third train for the rally and the fourth train has been booked by JD-U leader Raghvendra Prasad Singh from Saharsa.
Besides, over 10,000 buses have been hired by the JD-U MPs, MLAs, members of Legislative Council and other leaders for carrying the party workers and supporters for the rally.
JD-U MLA Anant Singh, known as bahubali, announced to bring nearly 2,000 buses full of supporters for the rally. According to a senior JD-U leader, the process to hire two more trains and a few hundred more buses is underway.
"These do not count the use of thousands of other four-wheelers and two-wheelers for ferrying party leaders and workers to the rally," he added.
Interestingly, sources in JD-U circles said that party leaders have been asked by top party leaders to mobilise the supporters to use hundreds of trains running in the state and other transport for the rally.
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Ram Kirpal Yadav questioned the necessity of special trains and thousands of buses by JD-U for the rally.
"It has now become clear that money and muscle power are being used to for ensuring the success of his party's rally," Yadav said.
This is first time the chief minister is holding a rally here after he came to power in November 2005. All eyes are on his rally because the turnout will indicate whether his support base is still intact.
The rally is being seen as an attempt to highlight the CM's popularity, ahead of the 2014 general elections.
JD-U leaders are claiming that the rally will set a new record, as over 10 lakh supporters are expected to attend it.
Upbeat JD-U leaders and party workers have put up hundreds of welcome arches, hoardings, flags and banners in the state capital -- all in the party's official green colour.