GUWAHATI: The Meghalaya government has denied BJP permission to use a stadium in West Garo Hills district’s Tura for a February 24 poll rally by PM Narendra Modi, leading the party to allege attempts to "stall the saffron surge" as it goes head-to-head with estranged ally and CM Conrad Sangma's NPP in the battle for the northeastern state.

BJP national secretary and joint northeast in-charge Rituraj Sinha said Sunday that the rally would be held as scheduled despite the venue not being confirmed.

“Once the PM has decided to speak to the people of Meghalaya, nothing can stop him.”Meghalaya supports PM Modi, they want BJP govt in state: BJP National Secretary Rituraj SinhaThe PM is to hold a roadshow later that day in Shillong.

BJP’s Meghalaya election committee co-convenor Rupam Goswami told TOI, “The PM’s rally is on.

We have finalised an alternative venue, and are awaiting the district administration’s permission to use that.”The party apparently received a letter from the government stating that the use of the PA Sangma Stadium, named after the CM's late father, “cannot be allowed since the project is yet to be completed”.“The CM had inaugurated the stadium on December 16 last year in a grand manner.

How can the stadium be declared incomplete and unavailable for use for the PM’s rally two months later?” Sinha said.BJP sources claimed the party next approached the owners of a private ground in Tura, only to be turned down.“Be it Congress, NPP or TMC, all are completely surprised by the Modi wave in Meghalaya,” Sinha said.