Heatwave in the plains, and also India’s capital –Delhi, is not what makes Prime Minister Narendra Modi to head for Shimla on May 31 , where the BJP government is all set to roll-out the  red-carpet welcome.

The event, proposed to be held at Shimla’s Ridge —an iconic sprawling ground ,which remains a hub of all landmark celebrations, is going to connect all Chief Ministers ,beside 17 lakh beneficiaries of central government schemes ,across the country .

The event is aptly named as ‘Garib Kalyan Sammelan’ –a  programme conceptualised for Prime Minister’s direct  interaction with the public in an endeavour to get feedback about the various welfare programmes being run by the centre, said Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur ,who met media-persons to brief them about the major highlights

The ‘Garib Kalyan Sammelan’ will start around 9:45 am with Chief Ministers, central ministers, state ministers, members of Parliament, members of Legislative Assembly and other elected public representatives directly interacting with the public at their respective locations across the country, the statement said.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur, who is an  MP from Himachal Pradesh ,will be present while BJP National President J P Nadda ,is unlikely to accompany Modi ,because of his party engagements .

“ This is a novel programme designed for Prime Minister ‘s outreach across the country .He will arrive around 11 am on May 31 and head straight to the Ridge ,Shimla ,where Modi ji will also address a rally of 50,000 people .It’s going to be historic event and I feel fortunate to host this programme marking eight years of the government ,service to the people,” said the Chief Minister.

Only three days ago, Modi –who was in his home state ,Gujarat ,where the Prime Minister said that he has not done anything that would make Indians hang their heads in shame.

"I have spared no effort in my service to the nation in the last eight years. I have neither allowed, nor personally done any such work that will make you or even a single person of India hang head in shame," Modi said.

The Chief Minister claimed that Himachal Pradesh has got recognition at the international level because of Prime Minister Modi .He accepted our proposal to hold this important event of the central government in Shimla.

“ Modi has led the country successfully during the Covid 19 –a situation which none of earlier Prime Ministers faced .This was the biggest challenge before India but the entire country has come out successfully under the leadership of Modi” he said.

Beside a road –show in the town ,passing through the mall road ,Modi will address a rally and also slated to release the 11th instalment of Kisan Samman Nidhi to benefit 80 crore farmers .The amount is Rs 21,000 cr.

 Thakur said, “Modi has affection for Himachal. AIIMS, which is going to be completed in a record time in July 2022 ,and World’s longest tunnel – Atal Tunnel, Rohtang at Mandi ,beside a financial assistance of 800 crores provided to the state are the biggest highlights of Modi’s double engine concept.

With elections slated in the state by the end of the year, along with Gujarat , the visit is seen quite significant to drive a political advantage and invoke Modi’s magic ,once again the assembly polls .Modi ,since he had remained party in charge in the state ,during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Prime Ministerial term ,enjoys a good connect in the state, knows several party workers personally by their names .

He will be visiting the state ,once again soon to address a Chief Secretaries conference at Dharamshala .Modi will have an overnight stay there.

“ He will also be addressing a rally of the youth wing of the BJP” Thakur informs .

As the AAP is also trying to make inroads into the state’s electoral scenes , Chief Minister on Monday found a reason to target Punjab government led by Bhagwant Singh Mann over killing of famous Punjabi singer – Sidhu Moosewala ,whose security was withdrawn only few hours before his cold- blooded murder .

“The government of Punjab did this to garner political headlines without studying threat perception of the leaders or doing any exercise to it. As the new government is just trying to stay in news headlines to fake it being different, the lives of the people are being put in  danger .How is it that AK47 reached the hands of assailants within months of this government ?” he asked  

The Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab is neither in the interest of Punjab nor in the interest of the country, he said, recalling how Khalistan flags are being hoisted and slogans written on the walls yet no action is taken .

To extend a warm welcome to Modi,  the entire Ridge and Mall Road ,beside core areas of Shimla have been decorated in all saffron with slogans, hoardings and flags. Several screens have been put-up all-round the town and districts for live viewing of the Prime Minister's event. A special dome has been erected and stage set-up quite creatively for the Prime Minister's  interaction with beneficiaries across the country via video conference , and also his rally .

However, being a summer tourist season ,a lot of tourists are likely to face serious hardships and locals find mobility or pedestrian movement tough due to heavy police deployments .