By IANS,
Lucknow : The capital of Uttar Pradesh is set to rival Jodhpur for the ‘blue city’ tag with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) workers putting up thousands of deep-blue party flags even as the administration pressed into service 150 doctors and 500 sanitary workers for the party’s Saturday rally.
Larger than life cut-outs of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, her mentor Kanshi Ram and the Indian constitution’s architect B.R. Ambedkar have been put up across the capital ahead of the rally, which will be held at the Ramabai Ambedkar Ground.
Party sources said Mayawati is likely to announce her strategy for future political alliances at the meet, for which the BSP expects to galvanise a whopping 600,000 party workers from across the country.
Makeshift medical centres, waiting lounges and toilets are being set up at the rally site. As many as 50 ambulances will also be pressed into service, a health department official said.
“A team comprising 150 specialist doctors and other paramedical staff will be deputed to provide medical facilities to the participants whenever necessary,” the official told IANS.
The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has galvanised over 500 sanitary workers to set up nearly 1,000 makeshift urinals and toilets at the rally site, an official said.
The Lucknow Jal Sansthan is arranging over 500 temporary taps and 60 tankers to quench the thirst of the rally participants. The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation will ply about 100 buses to bring in party workers from various districts of the state to the site of the rally, officials added.
The district administration has asked several schools and colleges in Charbagh, Aashiyana and Aishbagh areas close to the rally site to accommodate rally participants.
The Uttar Pradesh police have sealed the venue of the rally. A company of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and a team of Anti-Sabotage Check unit have also been deployed at the site, police sources said.
A control room has been set up where senior officials will monitor the proceedings through 24 close circuit cameras installed all over the rally site.
Officials said additional police personnel from neighbouring districts have been requisitioned to assist the local police.