Varanasi battle: On March 11, BJP will form govt in UP, says PM Modi

PM Modi in Jaunpur: I have seen poverty up close through my childhood

Crowd gathers on Varanasi roads as PM Narendra Modi's roadshow begins. Photo: ANI

Last Updated : Mar 04 2017 | 6:14 PM IST

As the politically crucial state Uttar Pradesh gets ready for the penultimate phase of polling in the ongoing Assembly elections, the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance is leaving no stone unturned to ensure their popularity amongst the voters. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi are holding a grand road show today here. The SP-Congress roadshow began at 'Kachehri Chauraha' and culminated at the 'Girjaghar Chauraha'. It passed through Nadesar, Chaukaghat, Doshipura, Gol Ganj, Peeli Kothi, Maidagin, Chauk and Gudaulia.

With this, the crucial Varanasi region is slated to witness a slew of high-profile rallies by Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his massive road show by offering prayers at the Kaal Bhairav temple here. The Prime Minister's road show, which started at the main gate of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), met with a horde of people shouting slogans in his praise. Men and women were dressed in saffron, highlighting the primary colour of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) flag. Modi also garlanded the statue of freedom fighter Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, who was also the founder of the BHU. On his way, Prime Minister Modi also offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

Stay put for LIVE updates on PM Modi's rally in Jaunpur

4.55 pm: The Congress Party has asked the Election Commission to register an FIR against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders for allegedly violating the model code for holding a roadshow in Varanasi without the required permit from the authorities

4.40 PM: Dimple Yadav joins CM Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi's roadshow in Varanasi

ALSO READ: UP polls: Akhilesh Yadav says people sleep when 'bua' Mayawati speaks

4.20 pm: Even political experts believe that BJP will form government in UP: Rajnath Singh

4.15 pm: Rahul Gandhi and CM Akhilesh Yadav's roadshow underway in Varanasi

4.08 pm: PM Modi concludes speech in Jaunpur

4.05 pm: If lost buffaloes can be tracked down in UP, can the police not trace (rape accused) Gayatri Prajapati, asks PM Modi.

4.04 pm: AkhileshYadav is shielding Gayatri Prajapati, SP not interested in governance; we shall ensure safety of women: PM Modi

3.58 pm: Akhilesh Yadav once told me, "visit Delhi-Agra expressway, even you will vote for Samajwadi Party. Now I ask you to ride a cycle with your partner (Rahul Gandhi) through Jaunpur - even you won't vote for Samajwadi Party."

3.57 pm: SP wasted funds given by Centre.

3.55 pm: Opposition made hollow promises. Do you get electricity throughout the day in Varanasi? Akhilesh even lies during elections.

3.53 pm: BSP, SP, Congress will be wiped out: PM Modi

3.50 pm: BJP will win on 11th March, says PM Modi

3.48 pm: I have seen poverty up close through my childhood. So I decided to provide gas connections to 5 crore families: PM Modi

3.46: We will waive small farmers' loan once we form government in Uttar Pradesh

3.45 pm: PM Modi conducted road show at Varanasi from BHU for about 7Km without necessary permission from competent authority: KC Mittal to EC

3.42 pm: We implemented One Rank One Pension as promised

3.40 pm: Army veterans have been fighting for their rights. OROP was promised but not implemented

3.32 pm: The army carried out the surgical strikes with precision. Jawans of Jaunpur have fought bravely. The entire world is lauding the bravado of the army.

3.30 pm: I am grateful for the contributions Jaunpur people have made, says PM Modi

3.25 pm: PM Narendra Modi is addressing an election rally in Jaunpur

3.15 pm: They haven't yet cleaned mother Ganga. Along with you people, this time mother Ganga will punish them too: Mayawati in Varanasi

3.10 pm: Congress VP Rahul Gandhi and UP CM Akhilesh Yadav hold joint roadshow in Varanasi

2.58 pm: PM Modi concludes road show

2.55 pm:Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav's roadshow has begun to combat PM Modi's mega show

2.50 pm: In roadshows of both BJP and SP-Congress today in Varanasi, most of the crowd are onlookers: Mayawati in Varanasi

2.05 pm: PM Narendra Modi's offered prayers at Kaal Bhairav temple in Varanasi

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.