Modi masks, T-shirts big hit in Kolkata rally

Kolkata, April 3 (IANS) Modi masks, saffron caps and T-shirts with messages like "Aro Ekbar Modi Sarkar" (Modi government once again) and "NaMo Again" were big hits among the BJP supporters at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election rally in Kolkata's iconic Brigade Parade Ground on Wednesday.

Braving the April heat, thousands of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists and supporters from different south Bengal districts gathered at the ground, donning masks of their leader and carrying party flags.

Saffron headgears, caps and scarves with party emblem were on sale but it were the Modi masks which sold like hot cakes, as many hawkers sold their stocks hours before Modi's speech while some were seen selling them at discounted rates at the fag end of the rally to clear their stocks.

BJP party flags were sold for Rs 40-50 apiece, one cotton scarve with the party's emblem was priced at Rs 40 per while Modi masks were available for Rs 5 apiece.

"Modi masks were super hit even though the merchandise was distributed among the supporters in districts and local party offices. People bought them as they were cheaper than the scarves," said Raju Sahu, a hawker at the venue.

Over 2,000 volunteers managed the crowd at the Brigade Ground. All of them wore T-shirts printed with the message "Main Bhi Chowkidar" on the front and "Aro Ekbar Modi Sarkar" on the back.

"There were demands for all the party products, including party symbol and badges though people were mostly asking for masks. Now we are selling at discounted rates as the rally will get over shortly," said Bachhan Choudhury, a retailer.