Varanasi/Chandauli: Taking the battle to Narendra Modi’s turf, Rahul Gandhi on Saturday took out an impressive roadshow across Varanasi in a show of strength against the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate and accused his party of following a politics “full of anger”.
Returning the compliment to Modi, who had campaigned against Gandhi in Amethi earlier this week, the Congress vice president rolled out his journey from the Muslim-dominated Gol Gadda area with his party candidate Ajay Rai, waving to the cheering crowds covering a distance of 12 km in four hours.
Rahul’s show of strength in Varanasi on the last day of campaigning, covered a distance longer than those taken by Modi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, although in opposite direction.
He started from National Inter College and reached Lanka Gate after passing through busy areas like Maidagin, Beniabagh and Assi. He paid floral tributes at the statue of Madan Mohan Malviya at the BHU gate as the area was swarmed by Congress supporters.
“We are fighting to win. We are confident of out victory,” said Ghulam Nabi Azad who has been camping in Varanasi.
The family members of late maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan played shehnai during the roadshow. Earlier, the family had refused to become a proposer for Modi when he had filed nomination for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat on April 24.
A large posse of policemen surrounded Rahul’s convoy as it moved with the flag-waving crowd in the streets of Varanasi.
With the sun blazing down, Congress supporters, many of them wearing tricolour caps, shouted slogans.
Rahul’s roadshow was allowed in Beniya Bagh, where Modi was refused permission by the Election Commission to hold rally due to security reasons, prompting an angry reaction from BJP.
“It is blot on the electoral process where a PM candidate has not been allowed to hold rally in his constituency. Why were security reasons cited for Modi and not for the other leaders who are campaigning there?
“It is now clear that the permission was denied due to political reasons and not for security reasons,” BJP leader Arun Jaitley said.
Kejriwal on Friday led a massive roadshow from Banaras Hindu University Gate in Lanka area to Town Hall in Maidagin area, while Modi had drove through with his motorcade from BHU to Sigra a day before.
Rai has also got support from Muslim strongman Mukhtar Ansari’s Quami Ekta Dal, although the two leaders have a long history of rivalry and have long been known as sworn enemies.
Raising the poll heat here, SP leader and Uttar Pradesh chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also had one roadshow, while AAP leader Kumar Vishwas conducted one after Kejriwal’s got cancelled.
Other Congress leaders present in roadshow included Madhusudan Mistry, Nagma, CP Joshi and Raj Babbar, as also Congress candidate from here Ajay Rai.
Later addressing a rally in the neighbouring constituency of Chandauli, Gandhi said Gandhi does not understand the strength of India and its people and practiced politics of anger.
1 Comment
The Die is cast
With only 41 seats of Lok Sabha remaining to be voted upon tomorrow , the die is cast
Outcome of those 41 seats is unlikely to make much of a difference to who will form the next Government at the Centre
If BJP falls short of 272 seats , ” Aya Ram , Gaya Ram ” horse-trading will settle the issue
But what will send a loud and clear message across India is ,
” Who wins in Varanasi ? ”
It is no more a question of Congress vs BJP
Or , a question of David vs Goliath
It is no more a question of choosing between , lesser of the two evils
Even if AAP has made a few honest mistakes and occasionally , compromised on lofty principles , for the first time , people of Varanasi have a choice
To choose between the least of the THREE EVILS !
There are no ABSOLUTE standards by which to judge political parties
There are only RELATIVE standards – and , even these keep shifting
If you think , some of the AAP members – and even , some of its leaders – are susceptible to making immoral compromises , you are entitled to your opinion – which is your right
And Arvind Kejriwal would be the first person to defend your right
Let us ask ourselves ,
” Who is the Least Corrupt of the three ?
Who do I deserve ?
Who is likely to resign if he cannot fulfill his poll-promises ? ”
BJP came into power in Gujarat on 26 Dec 2012 , by promising :
” If voted to power , we will construct 50 lakh houses for the poor in next 5 years ”
In the 500 days since BJP came to power , Gujarat Government should have built , and distributed , 13,69,863 homes
To find the truth , file a RTI application – without expecting any answer !
Of course , by 20th May , expect NaMo to resign as Gujarat CM
Not for having failed to fulfill his promise to people of Gujarat
But , to fulfill his poll-promise to people of India , that , if voted to power , BJP will construct 100 Mega-Cities in next 5 years
That is one Chandigarh or Gandhi-Nagar , every 18 days !
Hopefully , P C Sorkar ( jr ) will help out with a Mirage !
* hemen parekh ( 11 May 2014 / Mumbai )