Two-and-a-half lakhs of people turned up to watch Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the capital on Tuesday evening, proving conclusively that he was the BJP’s main crowd-puller by a long, long shot.

“Here comes the Baahubali of Indian politics,” screamed a youth during Modi’s hour-long roadshow of around 2.5km between Birsa Munda Airport and Birsa Chowk. “How’s the josh?” screamed a group. “Fir se ek bar, Modi sarkar, Har Har Modi, ghar ghar Modi (Modi government once more)”, “Modi hai toh mumkin hai (It’s possible if it’s Modi) and “Chowkidar purey hain” slogans rent the air as lakhs jostled for a glimpse of the Prime Minister.

Modi arrived at Birsa Munda Airport at 5.55pm and started his roadshow at 6.30pm. At the airport, he was welcomed by artistes who performed a traditional tribal dance. An enthusiastic crowd, many with camera phones, many with petals, greeted the roadshow. From BJP and Ajsu party workers to people, especially youths, lakhs surged on the road connecting Airport road to Birsa Chowk.

At Birsa Chowk, Modi along with chief minister Raghubar Das offered floral tributes to tribal icon and freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Modi greeted the crowd and moved around Birsa Chowk amid tight security, appearing to relish the adulation.

Heavy security arrangements were made by state police and Special Protection Group. Half of the four-lane road was left vacant for the movement of Modi’s cavalcade whereas remaining was occupied by jostling crowd.

To get a clear view of Modi, some people even tried to climb on mobile towers. Rooftops on the flanks of the road were occupied by security personnel.

“Here comes the Baahubali of Indian politics,” shouted a young man at Hinoo Chowk as he spied Modi. Flashlights of thousands of mobile cameras flashed. Harsha Kumari, a student of class VIII of St Thomas School came with an SLR camera. When a woman security officer tried to push Harsha and her sister Shruti back, Harsha said, “Ma’am please, this is a new camera and I want to click-start with a good picture. Modiji won’t come every day to Ranchi,” she said.

Rohit Kumar, a student of Class XI of Bridgeford School climbed on the shoulder of his friend Rohit Kumar when he found himself unable to see Modi due to jostling crowds.

A schoolboy said, “I am here to see Modi face to face. I will be eligible for voting in 2024 election only. Yes, I will vote for Modi.”

Two young girls had painted their faces in support of Modi. Around 100 residents of Harmu in traditional dress and headgear joined the roadshow. Differently abled Umashankar Prasad, 52, of Satellite Colony, took out his tricycle.

“How’s the josh?” shouted a group of youths, possibly first-time voters. The line from the war film Uri had been invoked by the Prime Minister and several ministers.

The roadshow was officially scheduled to start at 5.30pm. But people patiently waited for Modi.

His cavalcade left for Raj Bhavan via Harmu bypass. On Wednesday morning, he will address an election rally in Lohardaga.