It was a super Saturday in Varanasi as both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav-Rahul Gandhi combo took each other head-on with road shows while BSP supremo addressed rallies on the outskirts of the ancient city, which goes to polls on March 8, the seventh and final phase of the high voltage Uttar Pradesh election. This even as the sixth phase of polling is underway in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Varanasi, PM Modi's constituency, appeared completely immersed in the ''Modi wave'' right since morning when Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Banaras Hindu University as people, in thousands, welcomed him and the entire city was filled with ''Modi..Modi'' chants.

His rally started from BHU and crisscrossed through the narrow streets of Varanasi, passing through Ravidas gate Lanka, Assi, Madanpura, Sonarpura, Gudaulia and Basphatak areas to reach the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple where he performed a puja.

All along, massive crowds on either side of the road cheered and waved at PM Modi, many rained flowers on him and he reciprocated with his traditional ''namaste'' till his convoy reached Kashi Vishwanath where he performed a puja along with the temple priests.

His road show came to an end at ''Kaal Bhairav'' temple where he reached by 1.55 p.m. It is believed that without a 'darshan' of Kaal Bhairav temple, a visit to this historic city is incomplete. Modi would then head to Jaunpur to address a public meeting. He then returned to Varanasi where he addressed a public meeting later in the day.

On the other hand, Akhilesh Yadav-Rahul Gandhi combo were set to start their road show in the city and amid a sea of saffron flags, one could see several supporters of Akhilesh Yadav waving the Samajwadi party flags.

With focus shifting to the final phase of Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, all parties are pulling out all stops to woo the electorate. Besides Modi, a dozen of his cabinet colleagues besides BJP President Amit Shah are also camping in Varanasi to galvanize public support in favour of BJP.

The SP and BSP too mobilised their supporters in large numbers from Varanasi and adjoining districts.

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