Narendra Modi (R) showers rose petals over a statue of Madan Mohan Malviya in Varanasi.
Varanasi was at a standstill. The world's oldest living city was out to catch a glimpse of Narendra Modi, the BJP's chief ministerial candidate, as he inched towards the collectorate to file his nomination papers for the general elections in a mega show of strength.
Modi's roadshow in 10 points
There were people everywhere. Hanging out of windows, lining terraces, up on trees and dancing on the streets. (Track LIVE updates)
Rose petals were showered on Mr Modi's convoy as it passed homes in the temple town.
Mr Modi was traveling in an open truck draped in the BJP's saffron. It took Mr Modi almost three hours to cover the two-km route of his roadshow. (Biggest road-show in world's largest election)
Shops were closed as were many schools in Varanasi
On the streets were priests chanting mantras. The sound of conch shells punctuated the sloganeering. (Also Read: freedom icon's grandson to be Narendra Modi's proposer)
In the carnival-like atmosphere, there were people dressed as Gods. A 'Hanuman' waved a mace. Another figure in golden crown and garlands held the Indian tricolour.
Varanasi had made-to-order slogans today. Like - Vrindvan mein Krishna Kanhaiyan, Kashi mein Modi bhaiya (In Vrindavan there is Lord Krishna, In Kashi or Varanasi, there is older brother Modi). (Also Read: Bismillah Khan's family refuses to take sides in Varanasi's political battle)
While the BJP was mobilising cadres to crowd every inch of Mr Modi's route, alleged Congress workers reportedly poured water over the statue of educationist Madan Mohan Malaviya at the Banaras Hindu University. They said they were washing the statue because Mr Modi had garlanded it this morning. Malaviya was a four-time president of the Indian National Congress.
The BJP leader stopped to pay obeisance to the statues of freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhai Patel and thinker Swami Vivekananad. He also garlanded a BR Ambedkar statue.
Mr Modi's name was proposed for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat by Madan Mohan Malaviya's grandson, a retired judge, a singer, a weaver and a boatman, symbolically encompassing all that the cultural city is know for. (Also read: Kejriwal slams Modi, Rahul for 'helicopter democracy')
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