Rahul Gandhi begins roadshow in Varanasi

Days after Narendra Modi took on Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, the Congress Vice President retaliated on Saturday by campaigning on the last day in this temple town, where the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate is in the fray.

Donning a Gandhi cap, the 43-year-old leader flanked by Congress candidate Ajay Rai began his roadshow in a Muslim-dominated Gol Gadda area, waving to supporters who surrounded his vehicle.

Rahul's roadshow follows a massive one conducted by Aam Aadmi Party challenger Arvind Kejriwal on Friday and another one by Modi the day before. The roadshow started from Gol Gadda area of Varanasi ​and is to conclude after about 10 km at Lanka near BHU gate, the same place where Kejriwal and Modi had begun their roadshows.

In his last push before campaigning ends this evening, Kejriwal was conducting another roadshow today, while SP leader and UP chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also had one scheduled.

Leaders present in Rahul's roadshow included Ghulam Nabi Azad, Madhusudan Mistry, CP Joshi and Raj Babbar.

Congress supporters had begun assembling since early in the morning.
"We are fighting to win. We are confident of our victory," said Azad who has been camping here.

Breaking an unwritten code, Modi had addressed a rally in Amethi, where Rahul has been challenged by BJP's Smriti Irani, on the last day of campaigning there on May 5 and had made a stinging attack on the Gandhi family.