Varanasi prepares to welcome Narendra Modi, security tightened

Varanasi is all set to accord a warm welcome to Narendra Modi today after he led the BJP to a historic victory in the Lok Sabha polls and won by thumping margins from this temple town.

Tight security arrangements have been put in place here in view of Modi's scheduled visit later in the day with a special team of Gujarat Police carrying out inspections of all the spots which he was likely to pass through. 

"Modi is likely to arrive at Babatpur Airport at around 1645 hours after which he would leave for Police Lines via helicopter.From Police Lines, his cavalcade will leave for Kashi Vishwanath Temple where he will offer prayers before reaching Dashashwamedh Ghat to take part in Ganga Aarti", Media coordinator for BJP's Kashi Prant unit Sanjay Bharadwaj said. He said there was no information as to whether any other prominent BJP leaders would be accompanying Modi but added that such a possibility could not be ruled out. He also said that there was no formal communication as to whether Modi would like to address the people of Varanasi a day after he won the Lok Sabha seat here by a margin of about 3.7 lakh votes.

Party sources said that BJP supporters from adjoining districts like Chandauli, Bhadohi and Mirzapur are also likely to turn up in large numbers to accord a warm reception to their leader. A large number of security personnel have been deployed at the Dashashwamedh Ghat where the Ganga Arati attracts huge crowds on a daily basis and which also witnessed a bomb explosion in 2010 which had killed two persons and left several others injured.