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India's Arvind Kejriwal set to run against Narendra Modi India: Arvind Kejriwal to run against Narendra Modi
(about 7 hours later)
The leader of India's anti-corruption party is expected to announce he will stand against the main opposition BJP's candidate for prime minister, Narendra Modi, in the holy city of Varanasi. Indian anti-corruption campaigner Arvind Kejriwal has announced he will fight the forthcoming general election from the holy city of Varanasi.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal is set to address a public meeting in Varanasi later on Tuesday. Mr Kejriwal addressed a rally attended by several thousand supporters of his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the northern city.
AAP leaders say tens of thousands of people are expected to attend. The election pits him against Narendra Modi, who is the main opposition BJP's candidate for prime minister.
Analysts view the Modi-Kejriwal contest as "an epic battle". Mr Modi's BJP are seen as general election frontrunners. General elections are to be held in India from 7 April to 12 May.
"Mr Kejriwal has said very clearly that he will make an announcement about his candidature today," the AAP's national spokesman Deepak Bajpai told the AFP news agency. Uttar Pradesh, where Varanasi is located, is often described as India's battleground state. Any party wishing to come to power in Delhi must conquer the state which sends the largest number of MPs - 80 - to parliament.
"He has said that he will ask the crowd at his rally in Varanasi, and if they feel that he should, he will." Voting in Varanasi is scheduled for 12 May, during the ninth and final phase of polling.
Uttar Pradesh, where Varanasi is located, is often described as India's battleground state - any party wishing to come to power in Delhi must conquer the state which sends the largest number of MPs - 80 - to parliament. Expectations that Mr Kejriwal would run in Varanasi had generated huge excitement in the city with the issue being discussed extensively on the streets, the BBC's Geeta Pandey reports from the city.
The general elections are due to take place in nine phases from 7 April to 12 May. Voting in Varanasi is scheduled for 12 May. The AAP is expected to have the support of the large local Muslim population, she says, but the party has a tough fight on its hand.
"Mr Kejriwal arrived in Varanasi by the morning train from Delhi," the AAP's Sanjeev Singh told the BBC. BJP MPs have won the city in the past four elections and party workers in the state are working hard to ensure Mr Modi will win this time.
The anti-corruption campaigner is due to take a bath in the river Ganges which Hindus consider as holy and pray to Lord Shiva at the famous Vishwanath temple before starting on his political campaign, he added.
Expectations that Mr Kejriwal will run in Varanasi have generated huge excitement in the city with the issue being discussed extensively on the streets, reports the BBC's Geeta Pandey from Varanasi.
The AAP is expected to have the support of the city's large Muslim population, but the party has a tough fight on its hand - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs have won the city in the past four elections and party workers in the state are working hard to ensure Mr Modi's win this time.
Mr Modi's reputation for developing the state of Gujarat is seen as a huge draw for many voters in India.Mr Modi's reputation for developing the state of Gujarat is seen as a huge draw for many voters in India.
But he continues to be seen as a divisive figure and criticised for doing little to prevent 2002 religious riots in Gujarat in which more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, died.But he continues to be seen as a divisive figure and criticised for doing little to prevent 2002 religious riots in Gujarat in which more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, died.
"If Mr Modi comes to Varanasi, there will be development here," says Rakesh Kesri, owner of the famous snack house Kashi Chaat Bhandar."If Mr Modi comes to Varanasi, there will be development here," says Rakesh Kesri, owner of the famous snack house Kashi Chaat Bhandar.
Varanasi has power only 12 hours a day, the city is filthy with open drains everywhere, its roads are clogged with traffic, and the high pollution in the holy river is a major cause for concern, our correspondent says.Varanasi has power only 12 hours a day, the city is filthy with open drains everywhere, its roads are clogged with traffic, and the high pollution in the holy river is a major cause for concern, our correspondent says.