Temperatures are rising in Varanasi, literally and politically.
After campaigning for the sixth phase of Assembly elections came to an end on Thursday, all eyes have turned towards this high-profile Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In the sweltering heat of the summer of 2014, it had elected Modi to represent it in the Lok Sabha. An outsider then, the politician from Gujarat, who now calls himself the “adopted” son of Uttar Pradesh, is expected to devote time over three days to his constituency, which has five Assembly segments.
For the BJP, these seats are a matter of prestige. Pulling out all the stops to ensure that it captures each of these, the party has got a battery of senior union ministers to camp in the city.
Posters of Modi, outnumbering those of other leaders, including Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, stare down from almost every crossroad, preparing for the political battle that is all set to be waged on the streets of the city.
The Prime Minister is to address a rally in Varanasi on March 5 and stay overnight in his constituency. Sources said plans were being finalised for his programmes on March 3 and 4 in Varanasi, which goes to polls in the last phase on March 8.
On March 4, Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi will hold a joint road show in Varanasi.
The Bharatiya Janata Party is banking on Modi to swing the Varanasi seats in its favour. Though traditionally a Bharatiya Janata Party bastion, it faces a tough fight in three -- Varanasi North, Varanasi South and Varanasi Cantonment -- of the constituencies.
The party is hoping to win over votes cutting across caste lines, like it did in 2014. Political affiliations have largely been dictated by caste equations in Assembly elections in the state.
The BJP and the SP-Congress alliance are reaching out to the youth across caste barriers.
Prem, an undergraduate selling bhel puri on Assighat where layers of mud have been cleared to clean the Ghat, praised Modi. “At least someone is asking for votes irrespective of caste. Other parties are indulging in identity politics.”
There are others who are dissatisfied with the BJP. “What work has happened in Varanasi?” asked Mahendra Prasad, an Ola driver.
The SP-Congress alliance has launched a week-long Chalo Kashi online campaign against Modi, roping in interns interested to work in Varanasi and support Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi. A form has been rolled out where people can fill their name, number and choice of a constituency and are assigned campaign duties such as nukkad plays, street theatre and door-to-door canvassing. Most of the students here are from universities and colleges. This is one of the many efforts to ensure young voters also become active participants in political and electoral processes and get a first-hand experience of running an election campaign.
Since Wednesday, more than 6,000 have registered for the campaign, sources said.
The SP-Congress alliance has also launched a campaign of short videos “dard-E-Banaras” to highlight what it calls the “plight” of Varanasi.
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