Countering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to shrines and the subsequent roadshow in Varanasi on Saturday, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi conducted an equally impressive roadshow with youths and Muslims making up the numbers. later, at an election rally in Bhadohi, Akhilesh also challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to list out the work done by him.
“I told you about 10 works done by my Government. Can he (Modi) list 10 worksIJ
I am ready to give the performance report of my five-year Government. But, he should give the report of three years of rule at the Centre,” he said.
Taking a jibe at his political rivals, he said, “I heard that voters are being given money. My advice to you is to keep the money and vote for the bicycle (SP’s election symbol).”
On giving a significant number of seats to its alliance partner Congress in the ongoing State Assembly elections, the SP national president said friendship cannot run by being a miser.
The SP is contesting on 298 of the total 403 Assembly seats in the State elections, with Congress trying its luck in remaining 105 seats.
Mounting attack on BSP supremo Mayawati, Akhilesh said, “She got her memorials made even when she was alive. Now her language has undergone significant change, she is also speaking the language of development. But, since she reads out her speech, people listening to her tend to fall asleep.”
“She (Mayawati) is my bua (aunt), but she may go for Rakshabandhan (possible post-poll alliance with BJP). Hence, you have to be very careful,” he alleged.
The Samajwadi Party leader also asserted that his Government had performed in the past five years, and if voted to power again, the quantum of work would certainly increase.
He assured the audience that poor women would get Rs 1,000 pension. “Apart from this, Bhadohi-Mirzapur Road would be made in such a way that it effectively lasts for 40 years,” he added.
Meanwhile, a wall on which a large number of people had perched themselves, collapsed after the meeting, damaging around 25 bicycles and eight motorcycles. Around five persons were injured in the incident.
Hours before the Akhilesh-Rahul roadshow, PM Modi had stamped his charisma by taking out an impressive roadshow from BHU gate to Kashi Vishwanath Temple with people in lakhs lining up along roadside to welcome the local MP. Though, Modi was to visit KVT for offering puja, his visit assumed the form of a roadshow as he decided to receive greetings of the local people by making the trip in an open jeep.
Meanwhile, Akhilesh and Rahul reached Ambedkar crossing two hours from scheduled time, around 2.40 pm, and by that time people particularly youth turned up in thousands. The huge crowd presence brought smiles to the both leaders. Party workers of SP and Congress welcomed their leaders with slogans of ‘Jai Akhilesh’ and ‘Rahul Gandhi zindabad’.
As the SP-Congress reached Muslim-dominated area of Alaipura, much enthusiasm was noticed with the locals from minority community showering petals on both leaders. Muslim women also showed their enthusiasm by welcoming Akhilesh and Rahul.
With a large number of supporters and onlookers accompanying the motorcade, the roadshow trudged its way and took almost an hour and a half to reach neighbouring Pilikothi - another Muslim-dominated area.
Curiosity and enthusiasm were seen among Muslims including women to see both the leaders, who accepted their greetings with smiles and waved hands. If Saturday’s enthusiasm among the local Muslims is any indicator, then the BSP leadership might have to thrash out other ways and means to woo the Muslim voters of Varanasi.
Both leaders chose the Muslim-dominated localities on their route to send across a strong signal to the community that they were the ‘real’ well wishers and if they voted en block for their candidates, the results of some segments of the Holy City could seen a change this time.
In Maidagin and Chowk localities of City Assembly segment too which is considered BJP bastion, both leaders were given a rousing welcome as they drove by. The roadshow ended at Godoulia but the turnout might just have kindled the hope among the two SP-Congress poster boys on wresting at least one seat from the BJP this time round.