TWO DAYS BEFORE AMIT SHAH FILED HIS NOMINATION PAPERS FROM GANDHINAGAR-a seat the Union home minister first won in 2019, with a margin of 557,000-plus votes-he visited 30 voters for whom he is the designated panna pramukh. A panna is a page in the electoral rolls, each assigned a pramukh, or in-charge, by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to mobilise support. "Twenty-seven confirmed that they will vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modiji before 10.30 am on polling day. I've requested the remaining three, who plan to travel, to reschedule their vacation," says Shah, settling down for a Gujarati meal, wife Sonal by his side, at the house of a close associate, amid campaigning the following day.
Earlier that day, on April 18, riding a makeshift chariot atop a mini truck, the 59-year-old waved to supporters jostling on the roads under the scorching sun for a glimpse of their leader. "Raise your hands and take a pledge to vote for the kamal (lotus, the BJP symbol) before 10.30 am on May 7," he exhorted a gathering at Vejalpur, concluding his 10-hour-long road show, as hands shot up in unison. "Now I am relaxed," he said, "to campaign in other parts of the country and return here on the day of voting."
With over two million voters in this Lok Sabha constituency, Shah claims that his team has visited nearly every home at least once. The microscopic attention to detail and the presence of thousands of dedicated foot soldiers, combined with the natural appeal of the idea of voting for aapdo manas (our man/ a Gujarati) as the prime minister, are key to Shah's confidence-so much so that he spent only one day holding road shows and rallies before filing his nomination papers.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 06, 2024 من India Today.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 06, 2024 من India Today.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
WEAVE A STORY
Saree plays muse and material in this modern iteration
SIMPLE LIVING
Spatial planning meets spirituality, and up-cyling meets unconventional design practices, in this Gurgaon home
HARMONY IN DESIGN
Using principles of vaastu coupled with a creative interplay of open and closed spaces, this home in Vadodara is a welcome sight
THE NEW ECO CHIC
This home in Kerala is designed on the principles of climate responsive architecture
Crafting a New Look
A look at five festive artistic finds from Jaipur to brighten your celebrations
NAMES TO KNOW
From homes and offices to banquets and hotels, these architects and designers' approach to design is paving the way for some exciting spaces
CHIC AND COSY
Let your indoor winter wonderland revel in bold bedding, quilted beauties and charming cushions
STEP INTO STYLE
This winter, international collaborations are lending the Indian carpet industry a unique look underfoot
DECK THE HALLS
With this festive array of accessories, cushions and X'mas-themed decoratives
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Looking for Christmas inspiration? Here are plenty of ideas to steal and products to make it come to life.