The Aishbagh ground in Lucknow will host Prime Minister Narendra Modi today for the annual Ramlila, which depicts the slaying of Ravana (evil) by Ram (good).
Locals point to the venue as an example of Lucknow's secular heritage, claiming that it became the fixed site for the Ramlila thanks to the Nawab rulers of Awadh. In the 18th century, Nawab Asaf-u-Daulah is said to have donated 6.5 acres of land for the Idgah (ground for Eid prayers) and the Ramlila. Both have existed across the road from each other since then.
On the eve of the PM's arrival, the Aishbagh ground had hundreds of workers and at least twice more security men. But the focus will be entirely on the extent to which the PM's visit launches his party's campaign efforts for the Uttar Pradesh election, due by February.
Just a few days ago, the PM told his ministers and party men that they must eschew chest-thumping over the army's recent surgical strikes across the Line of Control. The one hour he will spend on a specially-created platform to watch the Ram Lila will indicate how much his party, the BJP, heeds that warning.
In the streets nearby, hoardings offer this swaggering message: "Lucknow welcomes avengers of Uri." The billboards feature no soldiers. They have PM Modi, not in his customary short-sleeved "Modi kurta" but in a Stetson hat and dark glasses, alongside Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the MP from Lucknow.
Posters in Lucknow, where PM Modi will attend a Dussehra event, hail 'Avengers of Uri'.
Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma is one of the key organisers of the Ramlila; he is also one of the BJP's national Vice Presidents. Asked about the posters, he told journalists, "This is an apolitical event. Let's not talk politics as there is none."
But symbolism is everywhere. The setting of Ravana on fire has been tweaked for topicality - this time, the 121-feet tall effigy has a slogan against terror on it.
PM Modi will spend less than an hour at the Ramlila. He will watch the finale of the battle between Ram and Ravana, but leave before the effigy goes up in a blast of fireworks as that is deemed a security risk by intel agencies.
There are other restrictions based on the PM's attendance. The event won't be free for all, there are 2,000 passes to invitees cleared by the organising committee and screened by the SPG. The content and type of fireworks have been carefully checked. Those standing on rooftops for a vantage view will be kept company by armed policemen. The annual evening Dusshera fair has been cancelled and vendors who set up stalls nearby in a street market have been told not to do so today.
Curious onlookers ask us if the PM is likely to make a speech. If he does, it's likely to set the tone of the BJP's bid for Uttar Pradesh.
A BJP leader preferring to speak off the record says," The PM coming to Lucknow on Dusshera, sitting and watching the Ram Lila right after a surgical strike...isn't that a political signal?"
(Rahul Shrivastava is Senior Editor, Political Affairs NDTV 24x7)Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.