JAIPUR: State BJP president Satish Poonia’s 57th birthday bash on Sunday has turned out to be one of the biggest personal events by any party leader in recent times.
Poonia’s team has claimed that over 30,000 party workers from all 200 assembly segments came to Jaipur to wish him in person. The team has counted 50 MLAs and another 35 former MLAs along with eight MPs to pull into a major show of strength for his political opponents within the party.
One kilometre stretch connecting from Rani Sati Nagar at Janpath Road was jam-packed by the party workers beating drums, chanting slogans like Abki Baar, Satish Ki Sarkar (Next time, Satish government), holding banners and folk musicians from all regions giving the celebration a carnival look.
Calling the turnout historic, Poonia said, “The confidence and belief showed by the party workers indicates that Mission 2023 (change of guard) has begun. We expected 2,000-5,000 persons, but the turnout has crossed severalfold. This mission will turn BJP into an undefeatable force and will motivate the party workers to work for the welfare of the people.”
Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Jaipur MP Ramcharan Bohra, Tonk-Sawai Madhopur Sukhbir Singh Juanapuria, Rajsamand MP Diya Kumari, Bharatpur MP Ranjita Koli, Sikar MP Sumedanand, Churu MP Narendra Khichad. The executive bodies of all eight morhas and district bodies registered their presence have sent a strong signal that the party stands united under the leadership of Poonia.
“The event has put Poonia into the league of BJP leaders who can pull party workers from the state in their personal programme. In recent times, he has become second such leader only after former chief minister Vasundhara Raje who use to celebrate her birthday in more extravagant style,” said a party source.
The extravagant show has surprised many who sees Poonia for his simplicity. “He has gone out of the way to keep his house in order and to give a stern message to his opponents that he is the boss,” a senior leader added.
Raje joined the league of leaders like CM Ashok Gehlot and Tonk MLA Sachin Pilot in wishing him on Twitter.
