Grand finale of 'battle for Varanasi' concludes in the last phase of LS polls today

New Delhi: Braving a scorching sun at places, millions of men and women voted Monday in the last lot of 41 Lok Sabha constituencies including Varanasi where BJP's prime ministerial aspirant Narendra Modi faces a stiff challenge from the AAP and the Congress.Long queues were seen at most of the 71,254 polling stations in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, with some people in Varanasi -- which saw heavy balloting -- complaining that they had been waiting for four hours to vote. Muslims voted in large numbers Monday in VaranasiThere were separate serpentine queues of men and women voters in areas like Peeli Kothi and Beniyabagh where most people are Muslims, officials and political activists said.The huge numbers of voters included women too, many in burqa. There were also the elderly and some on wheel chairs.The huge Muslim turnout was expected after Muslim clerics came out in support of Aam Aadmi Party leader and candidate Arvind Kejriwal.The Mufti Board here called upon Muslims Sunday to vote on the AAP's "broom" symbol, saying Kejriwal was a "honest man".Muslims form a large chunk of the Varanasi electorate, and it was earlier believed that the community's votes may split between Kejriwal and Ajay Rai of the Congress.Election Commission officials said that more than 50 percent of the 66 million electorate had voted in the first six hours after polling began at 7 a.m., the maximum in West Bengal.Although the contest is intense in each of the 41 constituencies voting Monday, most attention across the country was on Varanasi where AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal claimed he was sure to defeat Modi."The situation has changed in the last three days, and now everyone is saying Modi is losing," Kejriwal told journalists.Kejriwal insisted that the Varanasi battle was no more a triangular contest. "(Congress candidate) Ajai Rai does not feature anywhere. I feel it is a direct fight with Modi."The BJP is equally confident of ensuring Modi's win by a huge margin in Varanasi, the second Lok Sabha seat from where the Gujarat chief minister is contesting besides Vadodara in his home state.Modi, who will be India's next prime minister if he leads his BJP-led coalition to victory, Monday urged the electorate to vote in large numbers and contribute towards changing the country's future."In this last phase also, I request the voters to come out and vote in large numbers, with the same amount of zeal and enthusiasm," he said in a six-minute video message.Kejriwal's AAP immediately accused the television channels of violating the model code of conduct by broadcasting Modi's message on a day his own constituency is voting and asked the poll panel to take action.A controversy erupted when Ajay Rai walked into a polling station with the party symbol tucked on his kurta.Election law bans the use of any party symbol within 100 metres of the polling station. The poll panel asked the Varanasi authorities to file a case against him.Varanasi is one of the most sacred places in India for Hindus, Jain and even Buddhists. It is renowned for its ghats and temples. It is home to prominent philosophers, writers, poets and musicians. There is a belief amongst some Hindus that if you depart from this pious land then you will attain salvation. As the 9th and final phase of Lok Sabha Elections comes to an end today, everybody is debating as to who will conquer this coveted city of Lord Shiva. Here are the live updates of the LS Polls in Varanasi03:49 pm: 45.20% polling in Varanasi till 3 pm01:25 pm: Complaint against Varanasi administration officials for deliberately slowing down voting process in the name of checking and verification. Complaint received at some polling stations.01:19 pm: Some people created chaos in Adampura area of Varanasi. They protested against their names not being in the voter's list. 12:17 pm: EC directs Varanasi Returning Officer to file FIR/ complaint against Congress candidate Ajay Rai for displaying party symbol at polling booth. 11:59 am: 23.30% polling in Varanasi till 11 am10:53 am: Flashing of party symbol is violation of election rules. A report is being sent on the matter to the EC in Delhi: EC observer Praveen Kumar. 10:51 am: A three member team of Election Commission has reached Ramakant Girls College from where Congress candidate Ajay Rai had cast his vote.10:36 am: 12% polling in Varanasi till 9 am10:19 am: Election Commission has asked for CCTV footage of the polling booth from where Ajay Rai voted. Special observer of EC, Praveen Kumar wants to have it inspected. 09:07 am: AAP candidate Arvind kejriwal said that their fight was only with BJP. 08:35 am: Ajay Rai cast his vote with Congress symbol on his Kurta, He justifies it by saying that he is Congress candidate and he had the right to do so.He also added, "Modi had shown it. I just have this tic - tac pinned on me". 08:19 am: Ajay Rai said that Arvind Kejriwal is working for BJP. He is trying to divide minority votes.07:34 am: Narendra Modi - My special request to the youth - go out & vote and take your family and friends along to the polling booth!