Heat and dust fail to dent Modi aura in Koppal

It is 40 degrees Celsius. One lakh chairs are braving the heat without a roof to shield them. Three lakh water and one lakh buttermilk sachets offer some relief. It's been a six-hour wait by all to see the probable prime minister of the country.
The dusty Bevinahalli cross road in Koppal district witnessed thousands of people travelling from neighbouring Gangavathi, Raichur, Bellary since morning on Tuesday.Under every tree hundreds were huddled together to keep themselves away from the scorching sun as they waited for Narendra Modi. The handful of pandals did little to beat the heat. Hundreds of policemen posted at the venue from 7am had to make do with the shade under the pandals.
Truckloads of people started arriving from 11am onwards. "Each ward in three neighbouring cities and towns was given a target of bringing 100-150 persons and local BJP leaders were in charge of it. From Koppal town alone about 15,000 people took part in the rally. The rest were brought in from other districts," said a volunteer.
The white bags carrying water sachets were the most sought after. Every time the bag was taken out from the vehicle and placed on the ground, it would be emptied out in a minute.
Finally at 1.46pm, a blue and white chopper was spotted in the sky. The entire crowd looked up and rushed towards the landing area, identified as 'No man's land'. The man of the moment had come. As police battled to chase away the crowd from the high-security zone, Modi stepped out of the VT-HLE chopper and began waving at the public.
Clad in a white kurta and a blue jacket, Modi touched upon youth, corruption, rural development and more in his 19-minute address. "The UPA government has been in deep slumber for the last 10 years. It has forgotten the villages, the farmers, poverty alleviation. Madam Soniaji must be questioned about MGNREGA. Kyo toilet me bhee chori karta hai kya?" (Can someone make money out of toilet funds)," he asked.
Stating that Karnataka was rich in natural resources, Modi said to a thunderous applause: "I need 300 seats to be a prime minister. Send MPs from your state, I will fulfill your dreams."
As the chopper carrying him took off, people were seen chanting NaMo, the heat and dust being distant memory.
Road turns walkway
Narendra Modi rally was scheduled at Bevinahalli Cross on NH 63 connecting Gadag-Hospet. There was bumper to bumper traffic for over four hours on the highway before and after his departure. The road was closed for security reasons and became a walk zone for those attending the rally. All along the five-km stretch, there were water bottles and grapes sold in abundance.