Sources from Lucknow have stated that a highly charged final phase of campaigning for the Uttar Pradesh polls culminated on Monday with a show of strength by the BJP, the SP-Congress combine and the BSP in PM Narendra Modi's Varanasi constituency.
It was stated that as per report from sources 40
seats are spread over seven eastern districts, including five in Varanasi, will
go to polls on March 8, bringing the curtains down on the two month-long
exercise staggered in seven phases and over the course of three days, the Prime
Minister visited temples, held a road show and attended a number of public
events in the holy city along with several rallies in the region, in the final
push by the BJP to reach out to voters.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi also matched it with their own campaign blitz in the region. Joined by Akhilesh's wife Dimple, the two leaders held a roadshow, hours after Modi arrived in the city and paid obeisance at the Kashi Vishwanath and Kal Bhairav temples with much fanfare.
Meanwhile the BSP chief Mayawati, who is seeking a
fifth term as Chief Minister, also addressed a rally in Rohaniya, around 20km
from Varanasi the same day, where a galaxy of BJP veterans and Union ministers
also made a beeline to Varanasi towards the fag end of electioneering, making
the poll atmosphere highly-charged.
