Patna, Oct. 7: Floods caused by Saryu river have forced a change in the flag-off point of senior BJP leader L.K. Advani’s Jan Chetna Yatra (Public Awareness Campaign) scheduled for October 11.

Earlier, Advani’s yatra against corruption was to be flagged off from Sitab Diara, the birth place of Jai Prakash Narayan, which is located on the border of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. However, floods have made it impossible for the luxury bus-turned-rath of Advani to reach Sitab Diara. The venue of the flag-off has now been shifted to Chhapra.

However, Sitab Diara will not be completely ignored. Both Advani and chief minister Nitish Kumar will visit Sitab Diara before formally kicking off Advani’s campaign from Chhapra. Confirming it, state BJP president C.P. Thakur said: “The venue of the flag-off has been shifted to Chhapra as floodwaters would pose major obstacles for the bus to reach the scheduled venue. However, the journey of his yatra will start from Sitab Diara only but the official flag-off ceremony will be held at the airport ground in Chhapra.”

Thakur added: “In fact, Nitishji and Advaniji will be present at Sitab Diara to begin the journey.” Chhapra is around 38km from Sitab Diara and the road leading towards the birth place of Jai Prakash Narayan is not in good shape owing to floods in Saran district. At present, work is under process at Chhapra and preparations are on for the event.

Asked about the route of Advani’s yatra, Thakur said: “Advaniji will fly down to Patna from Delhi in the morning and will reach Sitab Diara by a chopper where he would address a public meeting before starting the yatra around 11am from Chhapra. The same day, he will address a gathering at Gandhi Maidan around 5pm and halt in Patna for the night.

He added: “He will address the media at 9 next morning and will resume his yatra. He would pass through Danapur and Bihta. After having lunch in Ara, he will address a public meeting there before addressing his next meeting in Buxar. The same day he will travel through Ramgarh before he enters Uttar Pradesh.”

He also confirmed that senior BJP leaders like Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley will be present during the flag-off. Asked about the presence of BJP president Nitin Gadkari at Sitab Diara, Thakur said he will not be coming as he has to attend a family function.

Advani would cover more than 10,000km on the journey across 23 states and four Union territories. According to sources, he will travel in a well-equipped modified bus being made in Pune. “The luxurious bus will have all kind of facilities like an elevator to address the public besides computer and television. There would be enough space inside the bus for him to rest and to hold meeting with his party members,” said a source.

The yatra will proceed in a convoy of around 20 vehicles, including an ambulance.

Talking about the importance of the yatra, Thakur said it will have an impact and will be an attempt to make people aware about the nation’s biggest issue — corruption — which has damaged the growth of our country.

“The yatra is an attempt to awaken the consciousness of people affected by corruption which is so deep that it has affected each and every person in the country.”