PM Modi holds roadshow in Varanasi: As it happened

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow in Varanasi is being held with two more days to go for campaigning in the final lap of seven-phase Assembly polls.

Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday offered prayers at Kashi Vishwanath and Kal Bhairav temples here during his roadshow in Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency.

Besides Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, BSP supremo Mayawati, and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi campaigned in the temple city ahead of the last phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections. 

04 March 2017

20:47 IST

20:37 IST

Lot of development works that were pending in Kashi have been resumed & are progressing at fast rate: PM

20:36 IST

We're giving impetus to infrastructure development in Kashi. We are taking every measure that benefits people: PM 

20:35 IST

20:35 IST

They spread lies about 24x7 power supply. But during their temple visit today, there was power outage: PM Modi 

20:33 IST

You see development in Kashi but CM Akhilesh Yadav doesn't, says PM 

20:30 IST

I promise to provide 24-hour electricity if BJP comes to power, says PM Modi

20:23 IST

Kashi is not just a city, it is a symbol of humanity. Our effort is to build an 'Uttam Kashi': PM 

20:22 IST

Have made Kashi my 'Karya Kshetra' so that we can regain the pride of the region: PM 

20:21 IST

I express my gratitude to the people of Kashi. Their blessings and affection is memorable: PM Modi 

20:08 IST

PM Modi back in his continuency Varanasi; Chants 'Har Har Mahadev'

16:03 IST

The PM asks: "If lost buffaloes can be tracked down in UP, can the police not trace (rape accused) Prajapati?"

"Akhilesh is shielding Prajapati, The SP is not interested in governance; we shall ensure safety of women," adds the PM.

16:02 IST

SP-Congress leaders chanting 'Gayatri Prajapati' mantra: PM Narendra Modi at Jaunpur election rally

15:44 IST

The Congress "made fun" of the soldiers by sanctioning just Rs 500 crore for One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. "They announced Rs 500 crore for OROP, and tried to cash in on it during the Lok Sabha polls. When we calculated, we found that Rs 12,000 crore is needed for OROP," Modi says.

"Announcing just Rs 500 crore was cheating the Army."

15:40 IST

"It is unfortunate that some parties, in their greed for power, are just focusing on politics of opposing. But the people of the nation will not forgive this..." says the PM.

15:37 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi blames Opposition parties for politicising the September 29 cross-LoC surgical strikes. "It is unfortunate that some political parties are questioning the Army out of political motives. For them even national security is a political tool," Modi says.

15:20 IST

PM Narendra Modi begins addressing a public rally in Jaunpur.

14:24 IST

Kaal Bhairav is considered by devotees as the `shah kotwal` and it is believed that a trip to Varanasi is incomplete without a visit to this temple. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon after his resounding victory in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections had visited the Kashi Vishwanath temple but skipped Kaal Bhairav temple.

13:32 IST

PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at the temple of Kal Bhairav, considered the ‘Kotwal’ of Kashi.

13:28 IST

The PM's roadshow is now moving towards the revered Shiv temple of Kal Bhairav.

13:25 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offeres several litres of milk, Ganga jal and flowers at the fabled Kashi Vishwanath temple and performs aarti at the sanctum sanctorum. A priest gives him 'Vijay Bhava' blessings. The priests smear Modi`s forehead with chandan and vermillion, as a symbol of blessings of the Lord Kashi Vishwanath. He has also given some prasad by the management of the temple.

Prayers were conducted by five priests headed by Acharya Ashok Dwivedi.

13:16 IST

PM Modi's roadshow reaches Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The PM will offer prayers here.

13:15 IST

PM Narendra Modi in Varanasi, BJP says its posters 'selectively' pulled down

11:26 IST

Thousands of people are lined up along the routes of Modi's roadshow.

11:26 IST

Supporters cheer 'Modi Modi' as the Prime Minister's roadshow proceeds towards Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.

11:13 IST

PM Modi to reach Kashi Vishwanath temple covering Ravidas gate Lanka, Assi, Madani, Sonarpura, Godowlia, and Basphatak areas.

11:12 IST

PM Narendra Modi's roadshow underway in Varanasi, supporters raise slogans 'Har har Modi, Ghar ghar Modi'.

10:53 IST

PM Narendra Modi offers floral tributes to Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya in Varanasi amidst a sea of supporters.

10:42 IST

The Prime Minister will garland Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya's statue in Varanasi.

10:11 IST

After a brief interaction, the PM moves in his bulletproof car in a cavalcade to a guest house. 

10:08 IST

The PM arrives at the Banaras Hindu University in a special Indian Air Force chopper. Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah and other senior leaders are present to greet him.

09:49 IST

Gorakhpur, Ballia, Kushinagar and Maharajganj polled 11 percent in two hours after voting began at 7 am, while Mau, Deoria and Azamgarh polled 10 percent. 

09:41 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Babatpur airport.

09:28 IST

This morning, the PM had tweeted: "In Varanasi, I will offer prayers at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple & Kaal Bhairab temple."

09:28 IST

The campaign by the PM will coincide with the balloting in 49 seats in the neighbourhood under the penultimate phase of the seven-phase staggered elections. 

09:20 IST

Varanasi and neighbouring districts will go to the polls in the final phase on March 8.

09:20 IST

He will then proceed to Jaunpur to address an election rally, only to return and meet intellectuals of Varanasi, party workers.

09:16 IST

The PM, who will be holding a roadshow, will begin from the BHU gate and pass through Ravidas Lanka gate, Assi, Bhadaini, Sonarpura, Madanpura, Gaudolia, Bans Phatak and will then offer prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple. He will then move to Chowk, Nichibagh, Maidagin, Kotwali Thana, Visheshwarganj, Gujratat temple and then to the Kaal Bhairav temple.

09:10 IST

Amid the high-voltage electioneering, Modi, who is also the Lok Sabha MP from Varanasi, is expected to offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath and Kal Bhairav temples and meet people in various areas after beginning his day from the Banaras Hindu University at around 9:30 am.

09:00 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Varanasi today for campaigning in the last phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2017. Security has been beefed up in the city and officials of the elite Special Protection Group (SPG) which guards Modi are camping here to ensure that the entire route is sanitised and protected.