Varanasi votes: Modi invokes Ganga-Jamuna legacy

New Delhi: With polling in Varanasi underway, Narendra Modi on Monday spoke about the 'Ganga-Jamuna Tehjeeb' of the holy city and appealed to the voters there to reflect its spirit of unity and harmony through their votes.

Invoking 'Maa Ganga" in his video message, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, who is contesting from Varanasi, said the aim should be to keep the rich tradition of the holy city alive.

"I appeal to people to cast their votes in the last phase of polls with the same zeal and enthusiasm they have shown so far. My brothers and sisters in Kashi, the honour of Kashi is in peace, harmony and unity.

"This is what we call Ganga-Jamuna Tehjeeb. It should also be reflected in polling. We are all one. We should love each other and take everybody along," he said.

Hailing the "vibrancy" of Indian democracy, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate said the western world should analyse the success of Indian democracy.

"The western world should also analyse Indian democracy, as to what is the reason why crores of people in this blistering heat are participating with such an enthusiasm in this elections," he said. He said despite all the storm of "negative publicity" during the campaigning, people have shown enough wisdom to "tell right from the wrong".

He said though everyone has their likes and dislikes, they love their county and vote for its future and for the future of the youths. "...and we should all contribute to make the fortune of this country," he said.

Modi said the heavy deployment of security forces in large number will be a good sign for ensuring healthy, clean and peaceful elections in the last phase.

However, he felt that the issues in the states, which witnessed assembly elections simultaneously, remained confined to their borders. On April 30, BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate had courted trouble after he flashed his party's symbol lotus while taking a 'selfie', and made a speech after casting his vote in Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

The authorities have deployed around 45,000 security personnel to ensure free and fair polls in the city. Over 1,200 booths have been put under surveillance through CCTV cameras videography has been arranged for remaining close to 300 booths.

Top police officers of Uttar Pradesh have come down to the city to assess the security situation and make foolproof arrangements for what is being dubbed as the blockbuster battle of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

In a tweet, Modi urged voters in all the 41 constituencies, which went to polls in the final phase of voting, to come in large numbers and vote.

"My special request to the youth, go out and vote and take your families and friends to the polling votes," he said in another tweet.

The police conducted raids and precautionary checks in various areas in the last two days besides keeping a strong vigil in localities identified as "sensitive". There have been searches by police at hotels, guest houses and dharamshalas to flush out "outsiders" who are not from Varanasi and were involved in campaigning.

"We have made elaborate arrangement for ensuring free and fair polls," the Special Election Observer told PTI. Speaking to reporters, Kejriwal declared that his is a direct fight with Modi and said Congress' Rai is not a challenger. Rai, however, dismissed these claims and said the voters of Varanasi will elect him as he is the only "son of the soil" in the contest.

"How is it a triangular contest? Ajay Rai is nowhere. It is a direct contest with Narendra Modi ji. The situation has been changing in the last three days. Everyone is saying Narendra Modi ji will lose," Kejriwal said.