http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2014/05/11&PageLabel=1&EntityId=Ar00101&ViewMode=HTML
On last day of LS campaign, a Rahul show-stopperParties Pull Out All Stops
In VaranasiTIMES NEWS NETWORK
Varanasi: The Millennium City burst into political frenzy as parties vying
for the temple town's heart--and vote-- pulled out all stops on Saturday, the
last day of campaigning. The constituency, along with 17 other seats in
east Uttar Pradesh, goes to vote on Monday.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi mounted an impressive four-hour road show
over 12-km. The BJP unleashed its state-level leaders for an intensive
door-to-door campaign. However, candidate Narendra Modi wasn't around.
AAP's indisposed Arvind Kejriwal too was missing in action even as the
party put up another striking road show.
In the evening, AAP leader Sanjay Singh announced the party had
deployed 250 spy cameras across the city to keep tabs on BJP workers,
alleging they might try to influence voters. Interestingly, when asked if
he felt that Kejriwal's claim of winning 100 seats was an overestimation,
AAP leader Yogendra Yadav replied, "Our aim is not just to win seats or
overthrow the establishment but provide alternative politics. This is not a
matter of one election."
Regional biggies also stamped their presence. UP CM Akhilesh Yadav led
a giant Samajwadi Party 'carnival' through the heart of the city, the
Ground Zero of the 16th Lok Sabha polls. In reply to Narendra Modi's jibe
on 'baap bete ki sarkar', Akhilesh came up with the barb that he (Modi)
could also make such a government if he was capable of doing so. BSP chief
Mayawati, though, chose to stay away from hotly contested seat.
*Modi meets RSS brass in Delhi *As campaigning for the LS polls came to
a close on Saturday, Narendra Modi met the RSS leadership in Delhi to
prepare for the post May-16 scenario. The Sangh brass played a major role
in getting Modi projected as PM nominee despite strong resistance from the
BJP's old guard. The Sangh leadership is looking forward to the possible
return of the BJP at the Centre after a decade. P 10 *Rahul's riposte to
Modi Amethi rally *
The Congress spectacle was a psychological boost for the party
candidate Ajay Rai who seemed to have slipped in the race. The road show
was also seen as the Congress leader's riposte to Modi. The BJP PM pick had
broken an unwritten code of top leaders not entering each other's bastion
by holding a giant rally in Rahul's Amethi. The Saturday show was Rahul's
tit-for-tat show, with Ghulam Nabi Azad, Raj Babbar, Madhusudan Mistry and
Mukul Wasnik in supporting role.
With the slogan "Kashi ki rai, Ajay Rai" reverberating all around, the
Congress show started at around 7 am from Gol Gadda, an area of weavers,
and ended near BHU. It began with the shehnai rendition of 'Raghupati
Raghav Raja Ram' by members of Ustad Bismillah Khan's family.
The inherent theme was 'local vs outsiders' referring to Rai and his
outsider rivals Modi and Kejriwal. But the soundtrack played on the
occasion, 'Tum toh thahare pardesi' was a little off the mark considering
because the hero of the show Rahul was also an outsider in Varanasi. "The
turnout of people in such huge numbers on the streets shows we have the
support of everyone in Varanasi," said Avinash Pande, AICC secretary and
in-charge of UP.
For the full report, log on
to www.timesofindia.com
Rahul Gandhi's cavalcade passes through a sea of people on Saturday
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Peace Is Doable
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