“Ab ki baar, 400 paar” car rally held in Chicago to support Modi in Indian elections

April 8, 2024

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Supporters of BJP at the “Ab Ki Baar, 400 Paar” car rally held near Chicago March 31, 2024. PHOTO: Organizers

In a display of support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) Chicago chapter held the “Ab ki Baar 400 Paar” Car Rally in Chicago, a theme meaning – This Time Round More Than 400 – seats in the Indian Parliament. Held ahead of the upcoming general elections, for which voting starts April 19, the rally spearheaded by OFBJP volunteers in Chicago, saw “enthusiastic participation from the Indian diaspora,” said a press release from organizers.

More than 125 cars converged at the Hari Sumiran temple in Long Grove, in the northern suburbs some 35 miles from Chicago. Nearly 250 supporters gathered in the temple premises to partake in prayers and Kirtan, before setting off in the rally.

In his speech, Himanshu Sheth, the event’s host, spoke of the rally’s purpose and significance, and dwelt on what he said were “remarkable” achievements of the Modi government in areas like infrastructure and economic development.

Amar Upadhyay, a volunteer from the Chicago chapter, urged attendees to propagate PM Modi’s achievements in the run up to the elections which he called a “watershed” moment in India’s history.

Rakesh Malhotra, another volunteer from the Chicago area, highlighted the “indispensable role” of the Indian diaspora in shaping the future of India. Terming the rally a ‘Kartavya Rally,’ he thanked supporters and encouraged youth to use social media platforms for advocacy, stressing the importance of assuming responsibility for India’s governance and progress, the press release said.

More than 125 cars were part of the ‘Ab Ki Baar, 400 Paar” car rally near Chicago March 31, 2024, organized by the OFBJP supporters. PHOTO: organizers

Shailesh Rajput of Hindu Mahotsav encouraged the audience to use WhatsApp and other means of communications to mobilize their friends and family in India to exercise their voting rights and contribute to the democratic process.

The event concluded with a ceremonial pooja performed by Purohit Rohit Joshi and Pandit Bharat ji, who led the attendees in the Sankalp of “Abki Baar 400 Paar.”