Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his road show in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi on Saturday ahead of the final phase of Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. Modi reached the city in the morning, and will address elections rallies at Jaunpur and Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth later in the day.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav are also scheduled to address rallies in Varanasi on Saturday. Former UP Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati will address her supporters at Jagatpur.
Modi began his roadshow by offering floral tributes to Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya’s statue outside Banaras Hindu University. His SUV reached Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi soon after the road show began from Ravidas Lanka gate and passed through Assi, Madani, Sonarpura, Godowlia and Basphatak areas, ANI reported. Supporters chanted “Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi” while the prime minister’s SUV passed through the streets.
Gandhi’s 9-km long road show on Saturday will start at Kutchery and end at Girijaghar in the Godaulia locality. The Samajwadi Party is fighting the Assembly polls in alliance with the Congress. Akhilesh Yadav and his wife Dimple Yadav are also expected to join Gandhi’s road show, reported the Hindustan Times.
Security has been heightened in Varanasi because so many high-profile leaders will be in the same constituency on the same day. A Special Protection Group team is canvassing the areas.
The sixth phase of polls are underway in Uttar Pradesh. The last phase of elections will be held on March 8. The results will be declared on March 11.
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