Jind, Feb 15: In a massive show of strength, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday organised a motorcycle rally in Jind - the nervepoint of Jat agitation in Haryana which rocked the Manohar Lal Khattar-led government in the state. The bike rally was led by BJP president Amit Shah, who rode pillion to the party's state unit chief Subhash Barala.

The BJP claimed over 1 lakh participants attended the bike rally in Jind, where the motorcycles were rode for nearly 600 metres. Heavy security was deployed during the road show to prevent any untoward incident.

Ahead of the rally, Jat groups had threatened to stage demonstrations, citing failure of the BJP government to include the community among those entitled to reservations under affirmation programmes.

In order to prevent embarrassment to the party, CM Khattar held persuasive round of talks with the agitators which compelled them to cancel today's protest. However, the Congress and INLD workers had threatened to stage demonstrations and wave black flags at Shah's convoy.

The bike rally, analysts say, is aimed at bolstering the morale of BJP cadres in Haryana - the state which was won for the first time by the party in 2014. The next state assembly polls are scheduled next year.

Ahead of the rally, the government had informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Haryana Pollution Control Board that all motorcycles to be used in the roadshow have attained the PUC certificates.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 15, 2018 02:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).