In the temple town of Varanasi, the outcome of the upcoming election seems predestined. The question is not whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will win here for the third time, but rather, what the margin of victory will be.
"This time, Varanasi is set to create a record in terms of victory margin. People of this city have pledged to ensure victory for Modi by over 6 lakh votes," stated senior BJP leader Manish Dixit.
The incumbent Member of Parliament from Varanasi, Narendra Modi, has already represented the constituency twice, each time witnessing a significant surge in voter support. From 2014 to 2019, Modi recorded a remarkable rise of 16.11% in votes, solidifying his position as the undisputed favorite.
Ajai Rai, the candidate representing the INDIA bloc, too had contested against Modi previously and has faced defeat in both contests, raising questions about his ability to challenge Modi's dominance.
Ramesh Singh, a local journalist, emphasised that once again, Rai is in the fray, with the responsibility resting on his shoulders to narrow Modi's winning margin. "This would mark the third time unlucky for Rai. He will lose again. The primary intrigue in this contest lies in whether he can diminish Modi’s victory margin," he stated. Singh added, "Reducing Modi’s victory margin would constitute a significant win for the opposition, which is now targeting dissatisfied voters disillusioned with the 10-year tenure of the Modi government."
In the 2014 general elections, PM Modi's debut contest from Varanasi resulted in a staggering victory with a margin of 3,37,000 votes over AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal. Contesting simultaneously from Vadodara, Gujarat, Modi secured a massive margin of 5,70,000 votes. In 2019, his victory margin further soared, clinching the seat by 4,75,000 votes. The BJP's strategy for the 2024 elections is to sustain this trajectory of increasing victory margins.
This year, despite 40 candidates filing papers alongside Modi, the competition has thinned to six contenders.
To ensure the victory margin, BJP President JP Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal, and other prominent leaders have converged in Varanasi to spearhead the campaign. CR Patil, renowned as the Gujarat BJP President, leads micro-management efforts, joined by Gujarat BJP in-charge Ratnakar, intensifying outreach.
Moreover, a dedicated team has been appointed to oversee tasks ranging from slip distribution to monitoring. In addition to the active participation of MLAs, former MLAs, councilors, and organizational members, leaders, and workers from various districts of Uttar Pradesh and other states are engaged in vigorous door-to-door campaigns.
Varanasi's demographic shifts are pivotal in this election. New residential areas have emerged, becoming focal points for political parties. Areas like Jansa, Ramnagar, Samneghat, Nagwa, Shool Tankeshwar, Jail Road, witness increased population density, while new residential pockets contribute significantly to voting patterns.
With over 19 lakh voters and spread over a 12-km radius, Varanasi encompasses new residential pockets and semi-urban areas. The issues of the River Ganga and the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor dominate discussions among voters, preparing for the decisive day on June 1.
"Varanasi has undergone transformative changes in the last decade, evident in its development," remarked voter Anshuman Shukla. Trader Ramesh Kundnani added, "The development in Varanasi is undeniable. It's visible to everyone."
As electoral fervour intensifies, the BJP's unwavering commitment underscores its determination to secure a historic victory in Varanasi, setting the stage for a closely watched electoral battle.
Polling is on June 1. Besides Ajai Rai (SP) BSP has fielded Athar Jamal Lari.
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