Modi also took the priests' and other elders' blessings, they said, adding some Muslim leaders had also come to meet Modi.
BJP's senior leader Ananth Kumar said authorities had denied Modi permission for a public rally but the entire city today became a public rally.
Kumar said Modi took the blessings from priests of Varanasi at the election office although his wish to perform Ganga Pujan could not be fulfilled due to a “partisan” approach of the authorities.