Varanasi:Modi faces tough competition from Ajay Rai, not from Kejriwal

, April 23: The holy city of Varanasi is all set to host the battle of power on May 12, on the last day of polling of nine-phased Lok Sabha elections.

All the three contenders have been busy in campaigning in the temple town to emerge as the winner in the land of "Har Har Mahadev".

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has already started his campaign trail by reaching out to voters, with his party workers and supporters raising slogans like "Agar Desh bachana hai toh Modi ko harana hai" (If you want to save the country, then defeat Modi).

But, if the caste and religion equations of Varanasi are analysed, then it can be concluded that the major contest is going to take place between Narendra Modi and Ajay Rai. Kejriwal remains on number 3.

OneIndia recently talked to the locals of Varanasi to take a look at the closer picture of what is going on in the minds of the voters.

Approximately 3.30 lakh Muslims of Varanasi are ready to cast their votes for Local Congress leader Ajay Rai. Another plus point for Rai is that 1.80 lakh Bhumihars are also in his favour, as he belongs to the same community.

Varanasi voters feel that Modi as a PM candidate can bring development.

If we look at his political history, then it's a fact he has been an MLA for five times, even if he contested as an independent candidate, the "giant killer" always won.

He faced defeat in 2012 when he contested on a Samajwadi Party (SP) ticket and this time, the Congress has put its stakes on him.

Meanwhile, Quami Ekta Dal (QED) leader Mukhtar Ansari, who is lodged in Agra jail, has withdrawn his candidature in an attempt to strengthen secular forces and to avoid division of votes.

This move can also work in the favour of Rai, who claims to be a "son of the soil", although the real winner will be declared on May 16.

What can work for Modi

In Varanasi, some voters have exuded confidence in Modi as they feel that being a prime ministerial candidate, Modi can ensure development in their area.

Some locals said that during Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, there was not much progress in Varanasi, and they were considering to vote for any other party except BJP.

But since Modi's candidature was announced from Varanasi, they are again back to support BJP, pinning hopes of development in all aspects.

OneIndia News