Rahul hits back at Modi, holds roadshow in Varanasi

 

A large posse of policemen surrounded Rahul's convoy as it moved with the flag-waving crowd in the streets of Varansi.

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 yesterday 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.

Congress has been trying hard to woo minority community, where Kejriwal is said to have made strong inroads.

Rahul did not address public during the roadshow, although a rally was scheduled later today in nearby Chandauli Lok Sabha constituency.

Modi also has as many as five rallies today in the nearby constituencies.

Raising the poll heat here, SP leader and UP 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.

Congress supporters had begun assembling since early in the morning.