Lok Sabha polls 2014: Local issues on back-burner in Varanasi's high-voltage battle

VARANASI:Unlike many other Lok Sabha constituencies where the basic amenities top the poll agenda, this temple town seems to have become an electoral prestige battleground, putting on back-burner the numerous civic issues plaguing it.

A high-profile election with BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in the fray has resulted in unprecedented traffic on half-concrete and half-earthen roads in most parts of the city, as leaders and volunteers from across the country are coming in large numbers not just from BJP, but also from other parties.

While thousands of volunteers for Modi have already come in for the May 12 polls, Aam Aadmi Party is not far behind. Besides, parties like SP and BSP have also mobilised their cadre from adjoining areas.

However, leaders, irrespective of their parties, are hardly talking about local issues. While BJP has made it a prestige poll seat with Modi in fray from this holy city of temples, having a significant Muslim population, almost all other parties seem to be fighting this polls to defeat Modi.

BJP for its part clearly said that these elections are being fought on national issues and against the 10-year misrule of Congress-led UPA government at the Centre.

People are also wary of Modi. If elected, he might leave Varanasi and retain Vadodara seat in Gujarat, which would mean additional expenses and poll-time problems for this city. Neither BJP nor Modi has said anything so far about which seat would be retained if the Gujarat Chief Minister wins both.

BJP leader Nalin Kohli, who is camping here for polls, said, "These elections are being fought on 10-year misrule of the Congress-led UPA government and the issues of price rise, corruption, unemployment, economic decline, women's security and farmers' plight.

"Modi and BJP are constantly talking about development and the agenda of development. Our manifesto clearly says that our aim is 'ek Bharat shreshtha Bharat' and our manifesto, as Modi himself says, is not a document but an agenda for development."

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal has said that his single motto here is to defeat Modi and his loss at Varanasi would ensure that he does not become Prime Minister. He, however, has promised that he would work for the people of this city and resolve their problems, while dismissing his "bhagoda" image.