This Article is From May 08, 2014

Narendra Modi in Varanasi: 4 Kilometres in 3 Hours And a Show of Strength

Narendra Modi in Varanasi: 4 Kilometres in 3 Hours And a Show of Strength

Narendra Modi's convoy reaches Madanpura in Varanasi

Varanasi: Narendra Modi, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, reached the BJP headquarters in Varanasi after a three-hour drive to cover four km, the huge crowds on the streets of his constituency providing a show of strength at a time when his party has alleged that the Election Commission  was wrong to bar him from holding a rally in the heart of the city. (See Pictures)

Mr Modi signed off his day in Varanasi acknowledging the work put in by the BJP workers in this tweet:
Before his drive-through, Mr Modi gave a searing speech on the outskirts of Varanasi, which votes on Monday, and alleged the "ban" on his campaigning in the city is politically-motivated. (Massive Crowds Throng Narendra Modi's Roadshow in Varanasi: Latest Developments)

"The Congress must understand. The people have defeated you, the Election Commission can't make you win," Mr Modi said. (BJP's Allegations Are 'Deplorable', Says Election Commission)

The commission said that officials and police had raised security concerns regarding Mr Modi's rally which it could not ignore. "The lives of ordinary people and leaders would have been at risk," said Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath in a rare televised conference. He also said the commission "deplored" attempts to accuse it of bias in the final stages of the marathon election. (Read more...)

The BJP has questioned the neutrality of the Commission. "Men in constitutional offices need to be bolder. Timid men can dwarf high offices," BJP leader Arun Jaitley said today. ('Timid Men Can Dwarf High Offices')

Along with other leaders like Amit Shah, he led protests against the Election Commission this morning at the city's famous Banaras Hindu University. (In Varanasi, BJP's Day of Protests)

In Varanasi, Mr Modi is taking on Arvind Kejriwal, chief of the Aam Aadmi Party and Ajay Rai of the Congress. Polls show the BJP winning the most seats in the election, although it's not clear yet if it  will need to recruit new allies to secure a parliamentary majority.
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