Slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’, ‘Ab ki baar 400 paar’ and ‘Jo Ram ko laaye hai, hum unko layenge’ were shouted all along the route.
PM Modi started the roadshow by garlanding the statues of Bhagat Singh, Adi Shankaracharya and Rani Durgavati, a legendary Gond queen hailed for her valiant fight against the Mughals several centuries ago.
Eight people including a cop injured
Such was the enthusiasm that people on a wooden dais jostled to get a better glimpse of the PM, causing the structure to topple.
Nearly eight people including a cop were injured in the stage collapse.
The injured were admitted to Victoria Hospital. PWD minister Rakesh Singh visited the hospital and consoled the victims.
“…Some people have left the hospital after first aid, while 4-5 people are undergoing treatment with minor wounds,” Singh said.
Jabalpur is part of the state’s Mahakoshal region, which also comprises Chhindwara, the only Lok Sabha seat the BJP had failed to win in the 2019 polls.
The ruling party had swept the remaining 28 seats in MP.
Jabalpur and Chhindwara will go to polls in the first phase on April 19 along with Sidhi, Shahdol (ST), Mandla (ST) and Balaghat.
(With inputs from ENS)
