The BJP has finally got hold of a venue — a 16-bigha agricultural plot — for a public meeting by Amit Shah just after the launch of a Rath Yatra from here on December 7 and fielded over 250 workers to guard the land day and night and foil possible Trinamul bids to grab it.

Makeshift tents have come up in the paddy field at Jhinaidanga village in Cooch Behar 1 block for the comfortable stay of the BJP supporters as the night-time temperature has started dipping.

“We have to protect the field as it will host the December 7 meeting of our party president Amit Shah,” said a young man, part of the team camping at the ground since Sunday morning.

In Cooch Behar, BJP leaders had to work hard to get the ground, at least 5km from the town. The party’s attempt to get venues in the town drew a blank as grounds were booked either for the ongoing Raas Mela or some Trinamul-sponsored sporting events.

“We could finally find the land at Jhinaidanga, on the outskirts of the town. It is an agricultural land owned by a party worker and the crop has already been harvested. Trinamul had tried to jeopardise our meeting by taking control of other grounds and fields,” said Malati Rava, the BJP district president.

On December 7, Shah will arrive at Madanmohan Temple in the town. He will offer puja, flag off the Rath Yatra and then move to the venue of the meeting.

The plot, BJP sources said, is owned by Chinu Kundu, a former panchayat member.

“Trinamul is trying to create hurdles in every possible way. They have asked private bus owners not to let out vehicles for the meeting. There is little chance that we will get NBSTC buses. We fear attempts to take control of the venue or damage the stage. That is why we have posted our workers to keep a close watch round-the-clock, particularly at night,” said Sudipta Chatterjee, a state BJP leader who reached Cooch Behar to oversee the arrangements.

The BJP, insiders said, is more on alert as the venue is under Natabari Assembly constituency represented by north Bengal development minister Rabindranath Ghosh.

“From Monday night, at least 30 halogen lights will illuminate the venue from dusk to dawn,” said Sanjoy Chakraborty, a district BJP leader.

Trinamul leaders, however, continued to scoff at the proposed meeting and the Rath Yatra.

“We have learnt BJP leaders do not pay rental charges and hence, bus owners are not ready to provide vehicles. The venue they have selected can at best accommodate 2,000 people. The party does not have even 2,000 supporters in Cooch Behar. They are planning to bring in people from Assam. If they try to create any trouble, people will retaliate,” said Ghosh, who is also the district Trinamul president.

Arrangements for food and accommodation have been made for the BJP cadres.

Work is on to erect a dais and build temporary roads to facilitate movement of people and vehicles during the meeting.