UP polls: After PM Modi's grand show, Akhilesh-Rahul take centrestage in Varanasi

Pic courtesy: ANI

Lucknow: Seeking to rally voters around the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance in Uttar Pradesh, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday led a joint road-show at Varanasi amid a huge crowd of supporters.

Rahul Gandhi and CM Akhilesh Yadav's roadshow continues in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/a499OAEKXm

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 4, 2017

Kannauj MP and UP Chief Minister's wife Dimple Yadav also joined Akhilesh and Rahul's road show in Varanasi. 

Dimple Yadav joins CM Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi's roadshow in Varanasi #uppolls2017 pic.twitter.com/Z5TCVObTvM — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 4, 2017

Later, all three of them, Rahul, Akhilesh and Dimple offered pray at Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath temple. 

Rahul Gandhi, CM Akhilesh Yadav and Dimple Yadav pray at Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath temple. pic.twitter.com/RXkzuavn7N — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 4, 2017

According to media reports, a number of senior leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad, Raj Babbar, Deependra Hooda, Jitin Prasada, Dharmendra Yadav and workers from both parties have landed in the holy city to take part in a 10-km long roadshow.

The Samajwadi Party is contesting on two out of five seats under Varanasi Lok Sabha while Congress has fielded candidates on three seats.

Of the total seats in Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, Samajwadi Party won one whereas BJP won three seats in 2012. Apna Dal lost Rohaniya to Samajwadi Party in by-election. 

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Varanasi and offered prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple after a massive road show. He also visited the Kaal Bhairav temple before leaving for Jaunpur where he held an election rally. "UP's voters have already given majority to BJP. We will form government in UP, will waive loans of small farmers," PM Modi said.

Meanwhile, taking a jibe at BSP supremo Mayawati, CM Akhilesh called her his 'bua' (father`s sister) and said people sleep when she speaks in her rallies.

"We have seen that while she speaks, people present in her rally sleep on their chairs. She is our 'bua', but, we don't know when she will be doing 'rakshabandhan' with the Samajwadi Party," he said while addressing a rally in Jaunpur.

Further, Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the Samajwadi Party is leading in six phases and after seventh phase, the party will again form government.

"Everything gets completed after seven rounds, new life starts after seventh round, the Samajwadi Party will also form new government," he said.

Akhilesh Yadav also expressed confidence in his party`s win in the assembly polls in the state.

"If Prime Minister could see this crowd, he would be assured of our victory," he said."People trust Samajwadi Party's work and policies. We will do more work to change your lives if we are elected again," he added.

While promising to raise the amount of the Samajwadi Pension Scheme, Akhilesh Yadav said, "We are now offering Rs. 500 under the scheme, but, after winning the elections, we will give Rs. 1000 pension and will cover all those women who were left before.

"The polling for seventh phase of UP assembly elections will take place on March 8. 

Akhilesh also challenged teh 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 works? 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 at an election rally here.

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.