Varanasi, April 23 (IANS) AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal Wednesday filed his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha election from here to take on BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi after a massive road show that drew thousands in the Hindu holy city.
Addressing the mass who packed the streets and also marched along with his slow-moving open van, Kejriwal launched a blistering attack on Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while describing himself as an "aam aadmi".
It was the biggest show of strength by the Aam Aadmi Party since the former Delhi chief minister shifted to Varanasi to fight the high-profile battle with Modi. Ajay Rai of the Congress is the third major candidate from Varanasi.
Speaking with IANS, Kejriwal said: "We are very confident to win in Varanasi."
Asked if Modi loses from Varanasi, will he still become the prime minister, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader retorted: "Do you really think Rajnath will let him be PM if he loses from Varanasi?"
It took Kejriwal, 45, about three hours to cover just a three-km distance to the district magistrate's office where he filed the nomination papers in the company of senior party colleagues, including Manish Sisodia.
All along the route, the AAP leader repeatedly halted to address crowds, underlining that Modi, if he won the election here, would become as scarce as Rahul Gandhi in Amethi.
He also asked aloud from where Modi and Gandhi were getting the money being poured into their election campaigns across the country.
"Look at all these hoardings... Where do they get their money?" he asked, looking at one giant Modi hoarding in Varanasi. "And here I have only 500 rupees with me!"
Kejriwal said while he was undertaking a simple election campaign, Modi would fly into Varanasi Thursday by helicopter to file his nomination.
"The people of Kashi (Varanasi) should also not get fooled like people in Amethi have been fooled for years," he said as his vehicle crawled through congested parts of the ancient city. Rahul Gandhi is seeking re-election from Amethi constituency.
Kejriwal said Modi had spent some Rs.5,000 crore and Rahul Gandhi Rs.1,000 crore on advertisements -- on themselves and their parties.
He said Varanasi should elect an MP with whom they can relate.
"This time people have to end the politics of corporates and establish a government of the people. We are on the path of truth, that is why god is with us," he said.
Thousands of people, including AAP activists with their trademark white caps, walked with Kejriwal shouting slogans and holding AAP flags. It led to massive traffic jams.
The crowds kept swelling as the over-half-a-mile-long roadshow wound its way. Many shopkeepers shut their shops and joined in.
Hundreds also stood on the road dividers or leaned out of the windows or watched Kejriwal from their terraces on both sides of the roads.
In impromptu speeches, Kejriwal flayed the BJP-controlled local Varanasi administration for keeping the Ganga river dirty. When he passed a mosque, many trooped out to cheer him. He waved to them.
In the sweltering heat, some people offered Kejriwal water and cold drinks. But he declined these politely.
Barring at two places where 10-15 people shouted "pro-Modi" slogans, it was an AAP show.
One man who did not give his name told IANS: "My heart bleeds for this man. He is a good man. But he can't win against Modi."
Another resident, Salim Siddiqui, was vocally pro-Kejriwal.
"I don't think Kejriwal can be called an 'outsider'. Even Modi is. Even Murli Manohar Joshi (who won the 2009 election here) was."
"And why should we pull up Kejriwal for resigning as the Delhi chief minister? He quit on principles. If you ask me, even Modi should have quit after the Gujarat riots (in 2002)."
When asked about the "outsider" tag that is being given to him, Kejriwal quipped: "I am not from Pakistan. Why do people think I am an outsider?"
The Varanasi battle became the most watched electoral contest after Kejriwal announced his candidature against Modi, saying there was a need to defeat both Modi and Rahul Gandhi in Amethi.
With 1.6 million voters, Varanasi goes to the polls May 12 -- on the last day of the staggered balloting acoss tghe country that began April 7. The nationwide results will be known May 16.
India-Pakistan cricket match this month: The match in Asia Cup will be held on August 28, T20 match will start in Dubai at 6 pm
India and Pakistan will play T20 matches this month. ICC has released the schedule of the Asia Cup. According to this, there will be a match between India and Pakistan in the Group A match. The match
There has been a huge cut in the price of this best selling phone of Xiaomi, know the new price
Best Xiaomi Phone On Amazon: If you want to buy the best phone under 20 thousand then buy Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G from Amazon. Currently, the best offer is going on on this phone. Best because the
Realme Narzo 50A Prime: Reality launched the cheap smartphone in 2 variants and up to 7 GB of RAM, know what offers you will get
Realme Narzo 50A: If you are planning to get a new smartphone, then today realme has launched a cheap smartphone realme narzo 50A Prime. The company has launched it in 2 colors and 2 variants. The
China Economy: China sets development target with five percent, record increase in the defense budget
Chinese President Xi Jinping began his new five-year term on Sunday. During this, the Chinese MP has set his development goals for the year 2023. The parliamentarian, who is called the country's
CBIC: CBIC doubles the fine, and also amended the arrest and bail rules
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has amended the Prosecution, Arrest, and Bail Rules for offenses under the Customs Act. Under this, the fine has been doubled. Under the new
Russians top list of foreign tourists to Goa
Panaji, March 24 (IANS) Russians topped the list of foreign tourists to Goa in 2014.According to statistics published in the Economic Survey of Goa 2014-15, tourists from Britain formed the second
Adani Wilmar Listing: Adani Group's seventh company knocked in the stock market, listing at a 4 percent discount from the issue price
Adani Wilmar, a company headed by Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, was listed on the stock exchange on Tuesday. This is his seventh company to be listed in the market. However, contrary to
Corona: In both the waves more than 40 years of age, infection is more, know what the doctor of ICMR-AIIMS said
Because of the increasing cases of Corona in the country, Dr. Balram Bhargava, Director General of ICMR, and Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS, gave a press conference today (April 19). During
Imran Khan's last bet to save the government said to the opposition - will dissolve the assembly if the no-confidence motion is withdrawn
In Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan has made a new move to save his chair. Imran Khan has given a message to the Leader of the Opposition that he will dissolve the assembly if the no-confidence
India indicated participation in the B3W project of democratic countries including America against Chinese BRI
India has also shown interest in the B3W plan, suggested as a cut to China's much-discussed and controversial BRI project. India has given positive signs on the possibility of participating in the