Top BJP leaders, ministers campaign for PM Modi in Varanasi
What's the story
Top Union ministers and BJP leaders have been campaigning in PM Narendra Modi's Varanasi constituency in Uttar Pradesh with an aim to not only win but break the record for margin of victory in the constituency. Several Union ministers like External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, and I&B and Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore have already campaigned in Varanasi. Here's more.
Details
List of top ministers who have campaigned in Varanasi
Swaraj was in Varanasi for four hours on Wednesday to launch a large women scooter rally in favor of PM Modi while Rathore arrived on Thursday for door-to-door campaigning. Goyal apart from Uttar Pradesh's Health Minister Sidharth Nath Singh and Power Minister Shrikant Sharma visited Varanasi earlier. MoS External Affairs General VK Singh is expected to visit Varanasi on the last day of campaigning.
Premium constituency
PM Modi keeps in touch with political mood in Varanasi
Though the BJP has been striving to win votes in West Bengal, it did not lose its focus on PM Modi's premium constituency. BJP President Amit Shah has been fine-tuning strategies for Varanasi. In fact, after his Kolkata roadshow on Tuesday, he first flew to Varanasi at midnight. PM Modi himself has been visiting Varanasi frequently and keeping in touch with the political mood.
Sampark meetings
'Sampark' meetings in Varanasi to garner votes for PM Modi
Goyal, Singh, and Sharma have been given the charge of "Sampark" meetings in Varanasi. About 100 "Sampark" meetings are scheduled between 13-17 May through which these ministers are engaging with different communities and business groups in the constituency to urge them to garner votes for PM Modi. The focus has also been on work done by PM Modi for his constituency.
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'No reason why Varanasi should not vote for Modi'
"The poor sections from all communities have been beneficiaries of PM Modi's Awas (housing scheme), Ayush, and toilet schemes. This has benefited the Muslims too...there is no reason why Varanasi should not vote for Modi," said Shankar Rajbhar, who runs a business near Varanasi's Chowk.