BJP rolls out a chariot full of luck

With its national president Rajnath Singh contesting elections from Ghaziabad, BJP has enlisted the services of its Vijay Rath (victory chariot) for campaigning in the city.

With its national president Rajnath Singh contesting elections from Ghaziabad, BJP has enlisted the services of its Vijay Rath (victory chariot) for campaigning in the city. BJP has expressed hope that the rath will prove a lucky charm for Singh in Ghaziabad the way it proved for Raman Singh in Chhattisgarh.

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The Vijay Rath, which is in fact a caravan mounted on a DCM-Toyota vehicle, was used extensively during the campaigning for the state assembly elections in Chhattisgarh.

“It was used by Dr. Raman Singh, the current Chief Minister of the state. The rath proved lucky for him and the party. We hope it proves lucky for the national president too,” a BJP district spokesperson said.

Party sources say the vehicle would now be used in the entire region of Western Uttar Pradesh (UP) as well as the Ghaziabad constituency. The air-conditioned vehicle is fitted with a lift which is used by a candidate to address public gatherings. It also has a bullet-proof covering, LCD screens to view public activity outside and a seating capacity for five.

This is not the only superstition that BJP cadres are embarking upon to make Singh successful from Ghaziabad. They have also opened up an election office at Ambedkar Road at Ghaziabad, which they think will prove doubly lucky for them. “We made our election office at this site during the municipal elections and the assembly elections. Both of our candidates won while launching their campaigns from here,” said the BJP spokesperson.

While other candidates in Ghaziabad are embanking upon the padyatra and direct contact with voters, people feel that candidates should come out in the scorching heat and meet them one to one, instead of creating hype through rath yatras.