Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Gaya on Sunday to address Parivartan rally, the second a public meeting after last month's Muzaffarpur rally, ahead of the coming Bihar assembly polls.
"Modi reached Gaya in an Indian Air Force aircraft," a district official said.
Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah and several union ministers and senior party leaders received Modi.
The Gandhi Maidan in Gaya has been put under high surveillance. At least 5,000 security personnel, including about 3,000 from the CRPF, SPG and NSG, have been deployed at the venue to prevent any untoward incident.
The city witnessed several protests a day before Modi's visit and Maoists have called for a day-long shutdown on Sunday to protest against the BJP rally.
Security on high alert in Gaya (Bihar), ahead of PM Narendra Modi's Parivartan Rally. pic.twitter.com/l2oAmYL9G1
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 9, 2015
Maoists in Bihar have called a day-long bandh in the Magadh division of Bihar, which comprises Gaya, Aurangabad, Nawada, Jehanabad, Arwal districts. Gaya is the administrative headquarters of the division, but also a stronghold of the Maoists.
"In view of Maoists shutdown call and announcement to observe black day to protest against Modi's rally, we have tightened security and will deploy additional forces in Gaya and surrounding areas," India Today quoted a police officer as saying.
#TopStory Maoists call for a day-long shut down in Magadh division of Bihar in protest against PM Modi's Gaya rally. — ANI (@ANI_news) August 9, 2015
Security has been beefed up at the rally venue, airport and the route that leads to the venue from the airport, Magadh Range DIG Ratn Sanjay said, The Times of India reports.
Sanjay said one IPS officer each will be exclusively deputed at the rally venue and and Gaya airport. Besides, security personnel in uniform as well as in plainclothes have been deployed all along the 6km route from the airport to the venue, including at residential and commercial premises.
Bihar is all set for Assembly elections, scheduled between September and November this year, and the RJD-JD(U) alliance led by Chief Minister Nitish, and the BJP have been at daggers drawn for the last few months now.
The poll process will be completed before 29 November, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said on Saturday. He was on a two-day visit to the state to supervise the preparedness for conducting the elections.
However, he did not make any announcement about the polling dates, which he said, will be announced 'at an appropriate time'.
"Political parties have given their suggestions regarding election timetable, floods and festivals. We have taken all inputs, which will be duly considered and a decision will be taken at and appropriate time," said Zaidi.
In case the process does not end by 29 November, President's rule will have to be imposed in Bihar, PTI reports.
