Narendra Modi addressing an election rally in Bhadohi, UP, on Sunday
New Delhi:
Narendra Modi will hit Uttar Pradesh today in a five-rally campaign blitzkrieg that will take him to Rahul Gandhi's Amethi late in the afternoon.
The BJP's prime ministerial candidate has chosen the last day of campaigning in the region to rally support for his party's Smriti Irani, a popular actor who has challenged two-time Amethi MP Mr Gandhi in what is considered one of the safest seats for the Congress.
Announcing his visit, Mr Modi had said, "I'm going to Amethi due to the love and affection of the workers there. Some big leaders are going to lose in the election this time." His right hand man, Amit Shah, who has designed the crucial Uttar Pradesh campaign for the BJP, has promised a photo-finish in Amethi. (Elections: full coverage)
Rahul Gandhi, 43, spent the weekend campaigning in his constituency and on Sunday, held a massive roadshow in Amethi along with his younger sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The siblings drove slowly through two kilometres of crowded streets with people shouting slogans in praise of their MP and showering them with rose petals. ('They Are Dumping Malicious Booklets Like Cowards': Priyanka vs BJP)
The Congress' Salman Khurshid predicted, "Modi's campaign in Amethi will have absolutely no impact."
Mr Modi has in his nine-month-long campaign in these general elections, kept up a steady attack on Mr Gandhi, often taunting him with epithets like "shahzada" or prince. He recently compared him with stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma.
Mr Gandhi has accused Mr Modi of promoting crony-capitalism in Gujarat. Recently, sister Priyanka has led an aggressive attack on Mr Modi from Amethi, in an attempt to infuse fire into her party's campaign.
Opinion polls show the BJP positioned to win the most seats in the national election. The Congress is struggling with predictions of one of its poorest performances ever.
Asked about Smriti Irani's challenge to her brother, Ms Vadra only offered a cutting, "Who?" ("Who?" Asks Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Smriti Irani)
But by fielding Ms Irani, the BJP has turned Amethi into a tough contest against Mr Gandhi, who also faces Kumar Vishwas, a senior leader of Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party in what is now a keenly watched three-cornered election battle.
Amethi votes on Wednesday, May 7.
The BJP's prime ministerial candidate has chosen the last day of campaigning in the region to rally support for his party's Smriti Irani, a popular actor who has challenged two-time Amethi MP Mr Gandhi in what is considered one of the safest seats for the Congress.
Announcing his visit, Mr Modi had said, "I'm going to Amethi due to the love and affection of the workers there. Some big leaders are going to lose in the election this time." His right hand man, Amit Shah, who has designed the crucial Uttar Pradesh campaign for the BJP, has promised a photo-finish in Amethi. (Elections: full coverage)
Rahul Gandhi, 43, spent the weekend campaigning in his constituency and on Sunday, held a massive roadshow in Amethi along with his younger sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The siblings drove slowly through two kilometres of crowded streets with people shouting slogans in praise of their MP and showering them with rose petals. ('They Are Dumping Malicious Booklets Like Cowards': Priyanka vs BJP)
The Congress' Salman Khurshid predicted, "Modi's campaign in Amethi will have absolutely no impact."
Mr Modi has in his nine-month-long campaign in these general elections, kept up a steady attack on Mr Gandhi, often taunting him with epithets like "shahzada" or prince. He recently compared him with stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma.
Mr Gandhi has accused Mr Modi of promoting crony-capitalism in Gujarat. Recently, sister Priyanka has led an aggressive attack on Mr Modi from Amethi, in an attempt to infuse fire into her party's campaign.
Opinion polls show the BJP positioned to win the most seats in the national election. The Congress is struggling with predictions of one of its poorest performances ever.
Asked about Smriti Irani's challenge to her brother, Ms Vadra only offered a cutting, "Who?" ("Who?" Asks Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Smriti Irani)
But by fielding Ms Irani, the BJP has turned Amethi into a tough contest against Mr Gandhi, who also faces Kumar Vishwas, a senior leader of Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party in what is now a keenly watched three-cornered election battle.
Amethi votes on Wednesday, May 7.
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