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Modi draws huge crowds as election campaign moves to Varanasi Modi draws huge crowds as election campaign moves to Varanasi
(about 1 hour later)
Indian election frontrunner Narendra Modi said he was overwhelmed on Thursday by a huge show of support in Varanasi as the Hindu nationalist leader entered the contest to become the holy city's member of parliament.Indian election frontrunner Narendra Modi said he was overwhelmed on Thursday by a huge show of support in Varanasi as the Hindu nationalist leader entered the contest to become the holy city's member of parliament.
The streets of the ancient city on the banks of the river Ganges were flooded with people keen to greet or at least glimpse the rightwing Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) leader as he came to file his nomination papers.The streets of the ancient city on the banks of the river Ganges were flooded with people keen to greet or at least glimpse the rightwing Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) leader as he came to file his nomination papers.
"I feel overwhelmed by the love the people of Kashi (the ancient name of Varanasi) have shown me and I bow to this land and its traditions," said the 63-year-old at the nomination centre."I feel overwhelmed by the love the people of Kashi (the ancient name of Varanasi) have shown me and I bow to this land and its traditions," said the 63-year-old at the nomination centre.
"It feels like Mother Ganga has called me here. The way a son goes back to his mother's lap, that's how I feel today.""It feels like Mother Ganga has called me here. The way a son goes back to his mother's lap, that's how I feel today."
India's multi-phase general election began on 7 April but does not wrap up until 12 May when Varanasi and a host of other constituencies in the state of Uttar Pradesh go to the polls. India's multiphase general election began on 7 April but does not wrap up until 12 May when Varanasi and a host of other constituencies in the state of Uttar Pradesh go to the polls. The contest in Varanasi is the most keenly watched of the election as Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the fledgling anti-corruption Aam Aadmi (Common Man) party, is also standing.
The contest in Varanasi is the most keenly watched of the election as Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the fledgling anti-corruption Aam Aadmi (Common Man) party, is also standing. Modi has largely steered clear of advancing his party's Hindu nationalist agenda on the campaign trail, presenting himself as an economic reformer and sound administrator. But analysts say his decision to run for the sacred city of Varanasi is an effective way of burnishing the Hindu credentials of the chief minister of the western state of Gujarat.
Modi has largely steered clear of advancing his party's Hindu nationalist agenda on the campaign trail, presenting himself as an economic reformer and sound administrator. He remains a deeply controversial figure for many Indians after more than 1,000 people – mainly Muslims – died during riots in Gujarat in 2002, shortly after he came to power. Dressed all in white, he was flanked by his top aide, Amit Shah, who was briefly banned from campaigning over inflammatory comments he made this month in an area hit by anti-Muslim riots last year.
But analysts say his decision to run for the sacred city of Varanasi is an effective way of burnishing the Hindu credentials of the chief minister of western Gujarat state. The streets were a sea of saffron, the BJP's colour, which is associated with Hinduism, with the mainly male crowd decked out in BJP caps or carrying party flags. "This [Modi] wave has been turned into a tsunami by Modi's supporters and this wave will wipe out [the BJP's rivals in Uttar Pradesh]," Shah told reporters.
He remains a deeply controversial figure for many Indians after more than 1,000 people – mainly Muslims – lost their lives in riots in Gujarat in 2002 shortly after he came to power.
Dressed all in white, he was flanked by his top aide, Amit Shah, who was briefly banned from campaigning over inflammatory comments he made this month in an area hit by anti-Muslim riots last year.
The streets were a sea of saffron, the BJP's colour, which is associated with Hinduism, with the mainly male crowd decked out in BJP caps or carrying party flags.
"This [Modi] wave has been turned into a tsunami by Modi's supporters and this wave will wipe out [the BJP's rivals in Uttar Pradesh]," Shah told reporters.
Polls show the BJP and its allies are likely to oust the ruling Congress party from power when results are announced on 16 May, but will likely fall short of an outright majority.Polls show the BJP and its allies are likely to oust the ruling Congress party from power when results are announced on 16 May, but will likely fall short of an outright majority.
Analysts say Modi is likely to win comfortably in Varanasi despite the competition from Kejriwal. Analysts say Modi is likely to win comfortably in Varanasi despite the competition from Kejriwal. He is also running for a constituency in Gujarat but he is not expected to take up that seat if he wins both.
He is also running for a constituency in Gujarat but he is not expected to take up that seat if he wins both.