With focus shifting to the final phase of Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at his Lok Sabha constituency today as he looks to shore up support for the BJP in the final phase of elections, polling for which is due on March 8. The prime minister is also scheduled to address a rally in Jaunpur. Modi arrived at Banares Hindu University at around 10.00 am. "The Prime Minister will be back in his parliamentary constituency in the evening to address a public meeting," BJP national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav said. The Prime Minister is expected to hold two more election meetings here, one each on Sunday and Monday.
Top leaders of the party and members of the Union council of ministers have been camping in the city to galvanise public support in favour of the BJP, which is aiming at a revival in the state where it had been in decline for more than a decade before making a dramatic comeback in the 2014 general elections when it won a stunning 71 Lok Sabha seats in UP, its best-ever performance till date. The ancient temple town is bracing for hectic electioneering on Saturday as besides Modi's visit, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi are scheduled to hold a joint road show criss-crossing through a major part of the city while BSP supremo Mayawati will be holding a rally on the outskirts.
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2.05 pm: PM Narendra Modi's offered prayers at Kaal Bhairav temple in VaranasiUnforgettable moments in Kashi. It is always special being here. My gratitude to the people for the affection. Truly humbled. pic.twitter.com/Ehpn4Dl5AI
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 4, 2017
1.55 pm: PM Narendra Modi's roadshow to reach Kaal Bhairav temple in Varanasi shortly
1.40 pm: PM Narendra Modi offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi
01.25 pm: PM Modi's roadshow proceeds, to reach Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi shortly
01.03 pm: 7 chakaron mein sab cheezen puri ho jati hain; saatve chakar ke baad nayi zindagi shuru hoti hai; SP ki bhi nayi sarkaar banegi: Akhilesh Yadav
1.01 pm: Akhilesh Yadav addresses a rally in Varanasi
12.30 pm: Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav plan counter-roadshow
12.20 pm: Minor scuffle breaks out between SP and BJP workers took place at BHU, from where Modi began his roadshow
12.06 pm: Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav will address a rally soon in Varanasi.
12.00 pm: PM Modi's roadshow underway in Varanasi. Out of 5 assembly constituencies under Varanasi Lok Sabha, currently 3 are held by BJP & 2 by SP
11.43 am: ALSO READ: PM Modi to hold rally in his constituency Varanasi today
11:35 am: ALSO READ: Stars descend on Varanasi for super Saturday
11.23 am: The city is under heavy security blanket
11.19 am: They (SP-Congress) should have at least said in public that it was mistake to give ticket to Gayatri Prajapati and that we won't support him: Venkaiah Naidu
11.18 am: #SuperSaturday: PM Modi to reach Kashi Vishwanath temple covering Ravidas gate Lanka, Assi, Madani, Sonarpura, Godowlia and Basphatak areas
11.11 am: PM Modi's roadshow underway in Varanasi, he will offer prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple & Kaal Bhairab temple shortly
11.10 am: BJP supporters raise slogans 'Har har Modi, Ghar ghar Modi'
Crowd gathers on Varanasi roads as PM Narendra Modi's roadshow begins. Photo: ANI
11.00 am: #SuperSaturday - PM Narendra Modi's roadshow underway in Varanasi, supporters raise slogans 'Har har Modi, Ghar ghar Modi'
10.45 am: PM Modi pays tribute to Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya in Varanasi.
10:15 am: PM Modi arrives at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
10.00 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Babatpur airport, he will address public meetings in Jaunpur and Varanasi today.