UP polls 2022: Political debates turn shriller in Kashi

VARANASI: The star campaigners of all the four political parties - BJP, SP, BSP and Congress - have started pitching up their tents in Varanasi canvassing as the Uttar Pradesh 2022 assembly elections draw to a close.
Political discussions were getting intense at every nook and corner of Varanasi on Thursday with animated exchanges between voters in support of their favourite parties.Several among them denounced the sitting MLAs and said they will vote for change this time.
R P Sinha, a retired railway officer in Saket Nagar colony that falls in Varanasi South constituency was having a lassi near Guru Ravidass Gate on Thursday evening.
"Sitting MLA and minister Neelkanth Tiwari remained missing for the past five years. He has been saying that he will make it up and be there to serve us. Kamleshwar Dixit from SP seems to be promising and is contesting for the first time. I will decide who deserves my vote on March 7 only after evaluating all the aspects," he said.
Senior leaders have started thronging Kashi to sway undecided voters like Sinha. Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, other senior politicians remained busy with campaigning in Varanasi on Thursday.
More action is expected to unfold on Friday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow scheduled in the city.
Rahul Gandhi is also scheduled to join Priyanka to boost the prospects of Congress party.
Jai Kishan Rawat came from Banwaripur village to see Mamata Banerjee. "I have only seen her on television and YouTube. I got to know she was coming so have reached here," he said.
However, Rawat was able to see her only on the large LED screens put up at the rally ground. The front rows close to the stage were completely packed and Rawat stood next to an LED screen.
After hearing Mamata, Rawat said, "She is the only one who can speak in this manner. In fact, no other politician in Uttar Pradesh has spoken so vocally against BJP leaders."
"I am yet to decide whom to vote for among Ravi Maurya of BSP and Arvind Rajbhar of SBSP," he added.
In last election, BJP and its allies had made a clean sweep in Varanasi, winning all the eight seats. But this time the dynamics in rural belt has changed as SBSP, a party of Rajbhars, is with Samajwadi Party.