(Image source from: Varanasi emerging as Modi vs Kejriwal battle})
Varanasi is fast emerging into a bi-polar battle between BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. People in the holy city find new twists in the poll contest between the two leaders.
The Congress and Samajwadi Party's contestants have become virtually inconsequential. Even the core voters of these two parties know that the fight in Varanasi has been scripted. There is no role of an extra in this gladiatorial fight.
Though Modi's chances are brighter than Kejriwal, AAP leaders and volunteers are undaunted and say no battle is over till it's over. The AAP is in the lookout for a surprise and every positive move is analysed threadbare. At this juncture, the JD(U)'s decision to support the AAP is read as a sign of growing popularity of the party.
People in Varanasi are divided when it comes to Modi and Kejriwal. The people appreciate Kejriwal's gutsy resolve but know that as to who will emerge winner in elections 2014. While others regret that Kejriwal didn't contest from another constituency.
According to a senior RSS functionary Modi's campaign in the culural city was over even before Kejriwal started. The ground work to ensure vote for Modi started last December. At present the part is only ensuring that BJP supporters come out and vote on polling day.
The RSS functionary says that Murli Manohar Joshi almost lost the Varanasi seat in 2009. due to the casual approach of BJP supporters. But this time Modi's winning margin has to be wide - befitting a PM candidate. He believes that it's the dutt of the people of Varanasi to make him a spectacular winner as PM candidates don't come to a constituency so easily.
Modi has become a part of the social fabric of Banarsi Hindu life, which includes the ghats, the Bir Babas or the bhajan mandalis, says the RSS pracharak with confidence. The pracharak reveals that a Hindutva brand has been created by the RSS and its front organizations.
Aam Admi Party on the other hand is nimblefooted and plans out its moves skilfull and quickly. The poll campaign of AAP says Modi isn't change, only a substitute. The AAP motto has won admirers and volunteers for Kejriwal. However, it's not enough to stop what the BJP calls 'Modi wave'.
AAP volunteers have come to Varanasi from all over the country to support Kejriwal in this mammoth fight. Their campaigning style has endeared them to all excepy BJP workers who mock at them or beat them up. Still AAP seems no match for the saffron party.
The major problem for the AAP is that the volunteers are not known to the voters and the voters don't know the volunteers, said a local CPI leader. They attract attention but it's doubtful if they can make voters sway in AAP's favour.
CPI and CPI (ML) are supporting AAP and are openly campaigning for Kejriwal.
The 3 lakh Muslims are being wooed by all parties as they vote en block. It seems that the community has been given the onus of defending secularism. While Kejriwal hopes to get their support, the appeal by Quami Ekta Dal (QED) chief Afzal Ansari to vote for the Congress may see the minority vote bank geting divided. Muslims, who are largely seen as a vote bank by most political parties, are getting pulled in all directions.
Varanasi has been a city of peaceful co-existense between different communities that is stressed out at present. The people want to get back to their normal Banarsi self, indulging in banter over a glass of lassi and forgetting their differences.
(AW: Pratima Tigga)
