AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal waves at supporters during his election roadshow in Varanasi on Friday
After
Narendra Modi's dramatic drive-through, it was Arvind Kejriwal's turn to court Varanasi before it votes on Monday, the last day of the mammoth nine-phase national election.
Aam Aadmi Party supporters in white caps waved brooms, the party's poll symbol, and white flags as Mr Kejriwal drove in an open jeep through parts of the city, from where he is contesting against Mr Modi, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate.
Many of AAP's top leaders are in the city and participating in the road show.
"Narendra Modi will lose. He does not have time to meet people. He is bribing everyone in his favour but truth will win," Mr Kejriwal told reporters on the sidelines of his 7.5 km journey from the city's Malviya Gate to Lahurabir Chowk.
In the morning he had driven through villages in the Ramnagar area in the city. His campaign in the rural parts of Varanasi is seen as linked to AAP's assessment that there is huge support for Mr Modi among urban voters.
Yesterday, Mr Kejriwal challenged Mr Modi, 63, to an open debate "at a time and place of his choosing".
(Also read: Narendra Modi Trying to Politicize Ganga Aarti Issue, Says Arvind Kejriwal)Mr Modi's rally on Thursday just outside Varanasi and a three hour drive-through in the city later was the highlight of the BJP's bitter confrontation with the Election Commission over what the party describes as a "ban" on him in the constituency from where he is running for Parliament for the first time.
Mr Modi used the standoff to target the Congress, saying at his rally yesterday, "The Congress must understand. The people have defeated you; the Election Commission can't make you win."
On Saturday,
Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit Varanasi in a tit-for-tat move after Mr Modi campaigned in his Amethi. Mr Gandhi will hold a roadshow to pitch for the Congress candidate, Ajay Rai.
(Rahul Can Try Road-Show or Air-Show But Varanasi is Modi's, Says BJP)