(Image source from: Will Kejriwal give a tough fight to Modi?})
As the day of polling nears in Varanasi, people in the holy city as well as the entire country wait with bated breath to see the Narendra Modi versus Arvind Kejriwal battle. Its almost a month since Kejriwal began his poll campaign in Varanasi, while Modi's unofficial campaign had begun sometime in January this year.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal had faced ink and eggs when he started his election campaign just a month ago. Today, after a month-long gruelling campaign, he can sit and smile for he has won over quite a few hearts in Varanasi.
Rajesh Mishra an autorickshaw driver, gets talking on the political scene in Varanasi, while negotiating the pot-holed roads in the city. The Modi versus Kejriwal battle is not completely one-sided, according to Mishra, who believes that Kejriwal will pip Modi to the post.
Mishra is not alone in this belief that Kejriwal will win and make history in the holy city. There are quite a few Banarasis who have confidence in the AAP leader.
But what makes Mishra and other like him talk of Kejriwal's win, when the popular perception is that Modi will be a clear-cut winner in the 2014 general elections.
For one, it's Kejriwal's relentless campaigning in this temple town. His day began at 7am and ended at midnight. An AAP leader revealed that the former Delhi chief minister holds six to seven meetings every day. Besides that Kejriwal's daily campaigning also includes road shows.
Contrary to the BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, the AAP founder does not indulge in monologues but holds two-way dialogues with people which give them a sense of participation. Each of his meeting are attended by more than 5,000 people with whom he holds an interactive session.
According to reports the AAP has surpassed the BJP in holding public meetings and door-to-door campaigns. An AAP leader says that the saffron party started the trend but they caught up.
Till May 5, the AAP held 208 meetings in the constituency, while the BJP held 140 public meetings, according to district electoral office records.
The people of Varanasi agree that the AAP has given a new meaning to poll campaigning. They say that till date that they have not witnessed such sincere efforts in any political party.
AAP volunteers, numbering around 10,000, have descended in the city and knock at every door seeking support for their leader. At every corner of the city, the young volunteers can be seen in their trademark AAP cap, holding banners and distributing pamphlets to people.
As the campaigning days are nearing an end, the AAP is happy that it has given its best shot. Whatever, the outcome the AAP brigade can at least say that it fought well.
(AW: Pratima Tigga)
