Live: Narendra Modi holds roadshow in Varanasi after rally denial

Varanasi: Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi today hold a road show in Varanasi after being denied to conduct one of the two rallies in the city.Earlier, the Election Commission had refused to interfere in the decision of Varanasi DM who has denied Modi the permission to do a rally at Beniabagh grounds. The EC in a letter to BJP leader Arun Jaitley has clarified that the security concerns expressed by the competent authorities, including the UP chief secretary and DGP, could not be overlooked.A number of BJP workers gathered outside the BHU campus in Varanasi and were shouting slogans against the Election Commission.Senior BJP leaders like Arun Jaitley and Amit Shah sat on a dharna outside BHU gate in protest against the administration's denial of permission to Modi's rally at Beniabagh grounds. Later on , they headed towards Modi's rally at Rohaniya.Meanwhile, Narendra Modi has apologized to 'Ganga Maa' by saying that he would not be performing aarti in Varanasi. "My profound apologies to Ganga Maa for not being able to perform Aarti today. Wish these people know that a Mother's love is above politics," Modi tweeted today."It is unfortunate that EC is not concerned about the institution's neutrality & that is why our Karyakartas have to embark on a Satyagraha," Modi said."I appeal to my Karyakarta sisters & brothers to maintain peace & ensure that people do not face any difficulty," Modi added.Here we are giving you live updates of the developments in Varanasi: Modi's rally in Rohaniya, near Varanasi05:02 pm: Modi concludes his speech. The crowd continues to cheer for him as he descends from the stage. 04:55 pm: Modi: They even prevented me from worshipping mother Ganga. I am a man of disciple. I'm following the instruction given to me but people will not forgive you. You made CBI chase me. You have troubled me for 14 years. So listen, Congress party has been defeated and Election Commission cannot save you either. People have defeated you. I don't know under whose pressure you are working. Brothers and sisters if Modi doesn't speak then his silence will be mightier than his words. My silence will be more than enough for the people. If not today then I'll come back to mother Ganga so other day. What kind of government do you want in Delhi? Will a weak, hospitalized government serve any good? If you want a strong government then vote for BJP. Vote for me. Give me a chance to work for you. 04:53 pm: Modi: I had to do many rallies in Kashi, but those who are against me played their cards and election commission said that I couldn't hold rallies because of security reasons. I have been to Jammu Kashmir, tribal region and areas threatened by Maoists. Despite that I'm alive. Yet I'm unsafe in Varanasi. Can't this father – son lead government give security to one man? Can't mother – son government provide security to me? Our Home Minister had said few days back that Modi has been given sufficient protection. He is safe. Four days back Chidambaram said he is save. They are trying to deprive me of my democratic right. Isn't this injustice to me? Isn't this injustice to the people of Kashi. And if I am ready to die what is their problem?04:52 pm: Modi: I have never talked of my caste because I believe in one India. Then they tried to find out my caste. If I am saying Sabka Saath sabka vikas, then you may also say that. Why are you getting offensive? 04:50 pm: Modi: My rally had been scheduled for Varanasi. But people who have been defeated in these elections are worried and they are fed up of Modi's speeches. I never used to talk about myself. But they started abusing me. So I thought I will now reveal my identity. While addressing a rally in Delhi I said revealed that I used to sell tea in trains. So Congress sent its people to Gujarat to find out. 04:49 pm: Once youth gets employed, development process will begin. I surrender my experience, my heart and soul to Kashi. 04:43 pm: Modi: Lal Bahadur Shashtri used to say Jai Jawan Jai Kisan – does it stand true today? Flats were made for widows of martyrs. Ministers of the government gifted them to their relatives and friends. I want to tell you something more shocking. We've faced so many wars and attacks –Pakistan war, Indo - China war, Maoists attack. Many of our soldiers died. But more farmers have committed suicide in the past 10 years – over 2 lakh more than soldiers who died in war. Lal Bahadur Shashtri used to say Jai Jawan Jai Kisan, now mother – son government has made it Mar jawan Mar Kisan. Our farmers are suffering. BJP in its manifesto has stated that the amount invested by the farmers on cultivation with an addition of 50% will be given. Brothers and sisters, this mother – son led government said that 10 crore people will get employed. Have anyone of you got? Did any of your relative get employed? 04:41 pm: Modi: We have desert in Gujarat. Even officers didn't want to go there earlier. I called Amitabh Bachan and in five years I made it a tourist hub. People pay for sand. Can you beat that? If sand can generate income then why can't Kashi. I have the potential. I can do it.04:38 pm: Modi: Today tourism is the most growing business. It is said that this industry is worth 3 trillion dollar. There is 40% growth in this industry. Kashi has the capability of driving the world mad with tourism. If people visit Europe to see Shakespeare then they come here to see Tulsidas, Kabir Das and Bismallah Khan. I will make Kashi a major tourist site. I want to create an atmosphere where people would feel compelled to come here. The best part is it is a cheap business. It would be propitious for flower seller gains, handicraft, sari, carpet, Prasad makers and tea sellers. Auto walla, rickshaw pullers- Everyone gains. 04:35 pm: Modi: Handloom has a huge market value. I will make your business international and contemporary. Our weavers should get the best opportunities. Gujarati's love flying kites. Mostly poor Muslims make them. When I became the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001 I told people o research on kites. I thought of how raw materials need to be managed, etc. What was the result? Our poor Muslims, now do a business of 700 crore annually. If kite business can make them prosper then think of our carpets. You only need someone to hold your hands. 04:32 pm: Modi: As a daughter Anupriya might miss her father Sone Lal Patel. But I too miss him on many occasions. Sardar Vallabhai Patel's dreams have to be fulfilled. When India was known as ‘Vishwa guru', then Varanasi was recognized as the capital of ‘Vishwa Guru'. Pt Madan Mohan Malviya took the initiative to restore Kashi's position. But 60 years of poor governance had slowed the process. I want the world to refer to Kashi as education hub. Surat is renowned for silk and handloom industries. Very few people are aware that Varanasi had taught them the art. In Surat we even have a ‘Benares mohalla'. The whole world must come here for handlooms, carpets and saris. A ‘Narendra Modi' can do that. 04:26 Just as Sabarmati river has changed in Gujarat, Ganga can also change. Can the holiness, purity of this rive die? Ganga is revered by people. Bismillah Khan said, “I cannot leave Ganga”. I have come to Kashi maybe because I have had some old connection with you. I have come with one agenda – Development. Why do I want development? I want development because if you look at the map of India you have the western side and the eastern side. In the western part of India you all all the developed sections. But on the eastern side we have places like Orissa, Bengal, Bihar, Eastern UP that are underdeveloped. My eastern India is underdeveloped, north east, Kashi. Can India grow like this? I have a dream. Just like developmental activities are taking place in Western India it should happen here too. Can't places like Ranchi, Bhubaneshwar, Kashi- grow?I have come to change, to develop and to serve you. Give me an opportunity. I don't want to waste time on those who abuse or speak ill of me. 04:22 pm: Modi: Brothers and sisters, I have seen many public meetings but never with so many people. You all are here in this heat. I will never let your strife go in vain. The love that you are showering upon me…I will return through development. I am not just your election candidate. Now Modi is connected with you through the bond of love. That's why without any hesitation you can talk to me and I will work for you like a servant and not dictator. 04:21 pm: Modi begins his speech. The crowd erupts in cheers for him. 04:12 pm: A documentary on Varanasi is shown before Modi begins his speech03:40 pm: Modi has reached Rohania near Varanasi. He will be addressing a rally here02:20 pm: Protest has concluded. 12:45 pm: BJP leaders reach the venue12:20 pm: BJP leaders struggle to reach the venue through dense crowd12:10 pm: Amit Shah, Ananth Kumar and Arun Jaitley have reached Lanka gate of BHU11:41 am: Arun Jaitley and other big shots of BJP have reached Varanasi's cantonment area. They would reach the venue in approximately 20 minutes. 11:35 am: Arun Jaitley and Amit Shah yet to arrive at the venue11:34 am: Protest has begun outside BHU. BJP workers raise slogans against Election Commission and District Magistrate of Varanasi.10:30 am: BJP workers have gathered outside BHU to stage protest.

Live: Narendra Modi holds roadshow in Varanasi after rally denial

Varanasi: Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi today hold a road show in Varanasi after being denied to conduct one of the two rallies in the city.Earlier, the Election Commission had refused

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