Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in Varanasi to hold an spectacular road show ahead of the crucial assembly polls here.
Modi’s cavalcade started from Lanka crossing, near the main gate of the BHU. It then travelled to Assi, the place for famous Pappu Tea Stall, before passing through Bhadaini, Madanpura, Jangambari, Gadolia, Baansphatak. The roadshow concluded at Gyan Vapi Mosuqe and Kashi Vishwanath mandir. Both places of worship share common entrance with the compound being divided by a iron grill.
Nervous over the visible anger among voters here, the saffron party had appeared determined to avoid any embarrassment as a result of low turnout. The party had roped in the supporters from outside Varanasi.
Cars bearing Delhi and Uttarakhand registration numbers of BJP supporters were seen in plenty across Varanasi.
Modi’s entire cabinet and top leadership have descended here to ensure there’s no embarrassment for the PM during 8 March elections.
Modi had won Varanasi with over three lakh votes.
One local resident told Janta Ka Reporter, “Modi’s convoy has passed through areas that have been BJP seats for 30 years. Both Varanasi Cantt and Varanasi South are traditional voters and the party is facing a stiff challenge here. So, the good turnout during the roadshow was expected, but today’s crowd also included plenty of outsiders.”
Janta Ka Reporter’s editor-in-chief, Rifat Jawaid, on Thursday had reported how the BJP was getting increasingly nervous over the poll prospects in the ongoing elections. Many voters appeared angry that Modi had not fulfilled any promises since winning the election from here in 2014.
(In the earlier version, we had reported based on media reports that the BHU VC too had joined Modi’s road show. The VC later denied the reports and we’ve, therefore, removed the reference to him from this report. It was said to be a case mistaken identity.)