Narendra Modi draws all, from first-timers to die-hard admirers

Sixty-seven-year-old Vinod Gandhi attended a political rally for the first time in his life on Monday. A BJP supporter for decades, it was the Narendra Modi craze that drew him out of his Kandivli residence to the Bandra-Kurla Complex grounds, where the Shiv Sena-BJP-RPI combine held its pre-poll rally.

And it was not just him, there were other first-timers, as well as those who have not missed a single rally of Modi's and those who had come to listen to his vision and give him a chance because they have come to believe that he's likely to give India a strong leadership.

Sion resident Amit Ranjan, who hails from Bihar, was one such. "He may be having the support of MNS, which is against North Indians, but that does not make a difference at the national level. I am here to see what he has to say," said Ranjan, a pharma industry professional.

Youngsters, who BJP has given importance to in its manifesto, were impressed with Modi's speech. "I loved his talk and had come only for that. He spoke of the country and just wants to see India grow. That is what I like the most about him," said Nimit Virvadia, a 22-year-old who is in the diamond business.

Some like Alauddin Ansari, who had come during Rahul Gandhi's rally, too flocked to the BKC grounds on Monday to hear what Modi had to say. Muslims affiliated with RPI were seen attending the rally.
Mahim resident Vikram Kulkarni came with his entire family of six. "I have attended his earlier rallies and we made a point to come today because we admire him," he said.