Live
play
  • News
    • Middle East
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • US & Canada
    • Latin America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
  • Coronavirus
  • Features
  • Economy
  • Opinion
  • Video
  • More
    • Investigations
    • Interactives
    • In Pictures
    • Climate
    • Science & Technology
    • Sports
    • Podcasts

In Pictures

Gallery

In Pictures: Battleground Varanasi

Ancient city will see BJP’s Narendra Modi and AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal face off on May 12 at end of India’s polling.

Kubernath Mishra recites a 3,500-word poem he wrote in support of Narendra Modi called "NaMo Race Ahead". He has distributed over a thousand copies of the 30-page poem so far.
Kubernath Mishra recites a 3,500-word poem he wrote in support of Narendra Modi called "NaMo Race Ahead". He has distributed over a thousand copies of the 30-page poem so far.
By 
Bijoyeta Das
16 Apr 2014
facebooktwitterwhatsapp

Varanasi, the religious and spiritual hub of India, is emerging as the election battleground for outsiders; Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal.

Kejriwal is expected to start his campaigning from the city on Wednesday. Since his last visit in March, AAP has launched a door-to-door campaign. Meanwhile, unofficial reports state that Modi will file his nomination on April 18. 

Elections in Varanasi are scheduled for May 12, the last of India’s nine-phase polling.

The ancient city is located on the banks of Ganges in eastern Uttar Pradesh state that sends the largest number of seats to parliament.

The ruling Congress party has announced Ajay Rai, a sitting member of the state assembly, as its candidate.

In the last election in 2009, BJP’s Murli Manohar Joshi won the seat by defeating Bahujan Samaj Party’s Mukhtar Ansari.

Since 1991, BJP has consistently won this seat barring 2004 when Congress candidate emerged victorious.

A man jumps into the Ganges in Varanasi, also known as Kashi. The ancient city is considered the religious capital of India.
A man jumps into the Ganges in Varanasi, also known as Kashi. The ancient city is considered the religious capital of India.
Advertisement
Members of AAP argue with a BJP supporter while campaigning in the city.
Members of AAP argue with a BJP supporter while campaigning in the city.
Transgender candidate Bashir Kinnar aka Kamala Kinnar says she will be challenging both Modi and Kejriwal as an independent. "Why should we expect an outsider to solve our problems," she says. "We need a local voice and that is why I will challenge them." She had contested the state elections twice before unsuccessfully.
Transgender candidate Bashir Kinnar aka Kamala Kinnar says she will be challenging both Modi and Kejriwal as an independent. "Why should we expect an outsider to solve our problems," she says. "We need a local voice and that is why I will challenge them." She had contested the state elections twice before unsuccessfully.
BJP youth workes decorate Modi’s election office, which was inaugurated on April 1.
BJP youth workes decorate Modi’s election office, which was inaugurated on April 1.
Mohammad Kadim, 27, a weaver, says the community is yet to decide who they will support. 
Mohammad Kadim, 27, a weaver, says the community is yet to decide who they will support. 
Supporters of Samajwadi Party, which currently rules the state government of Uttar Pradeh, are seen here campaigning.
Supporters of Samajwadi Party, which currently rules the state government of Uttar Pradeh, are seen here campaigning.
Advertisement
A lane in Pakka Mahal. The spiritual hub of India has traditionally been a BJP bastion.
A lane in Pakka Mahal. The spiritual hub of India has traditionally been a BJP bastion.
A Muslim craftsman wears the cap of AAP. With no Muslim candidate planning to contest, many have declared their support for Kejriwal.
A Muslim craftsman wears the cap of AAP. With no Muslim candidate planning to contest, many have declared their support for Kejriwal.
Locals say the polls will be a contest between outsiders Modi and Kejriwal. 
Locals say the polls will be a contest between outsiders Modi and Kejriwal. 
Large hoardings featuring Samajawadi Party candidate Kailash Chaurasia can be seen around the city. He often refers to his humble family background of selling betel nuts in his speeches.
Large hoardings featuring Samajawadi Party candidate Kailash Chaurasia can be seen around the city. He often refers to his humble family background of selling betel nuts in his speeches.
All eyes are now on Varanasi as it witnesses the biggest battle of this elections. Modi, who is also running from his home state of Gujarat, is expected to file his nomination papers this week.
All eyes are now on Varanasi as it witnesses the biggest battle of this elections. Modi, who is also running from his home state of Gujarat, is expected to file his nomination papers this week.

More from Gallery

Almost heaven: West Virginia entices nature-loving remote workers

The goal is to leverage one of West Virginia's most appealing assets, its epic natural beauty, to stem the tide of population loss in the only state in the United States that has fewer residents now than in 1950 [File: Michael Virtanen/AP Photo]

In Pictures: 60 years since Gagarin’s historic spaceflight

Soviet cosmonaut Major Yuri Gagarin, the first man to orbit Earth, in his space suit. Gagarin's 108-minute mission on April 12, 1961 marked a historic achievement for the Soviet Union. [AP Photo]

In Pictures: US police shoot Black man, sparking protests

A protester confronts a police officer near the site where Duante Wright's family said he was shot and killed by local law enforcement, in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. [Christian Monterrosa/AP Photo]

In Pictures: Ash-covered St Vincent braces for more eruptions

Ash and smoke billow as the La Soufriere volcano erupts in Kingstown on the eastern Caribbean island of St Vincent. [Robertson S. Henry/Reuters]
Most Read

St Vincent volcano erupts again, spewing more gas and ash

Ash and smoke billow as La Soufriere volcano erupts in Kingstown on the eastern Caribbean island of St Vincent [Robertson S Henry/Reuters]

US police officer accused of assaulting Black Army officer fired

US Army 2nd Lieutenant Caron Nazario reacts while handcuffed after being sprayed with a chemical agent by Windsor police officer Joe Gutierrez at a gas station during a traffic stop. [Handout/Windsor Police via Reuters]

‘I just shot him’: Police say Daunte Wright shooting ‘accidental’

Authorities in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, after Daunte Wright, 20, was shot by police on Sunday before getting back into his car and driving away [Christian Monterrosa/AP Photo]

Protests across Pakistan after far-right Muslim leader arrested

Police officers take into custody a supporter of TLP at a protest against the arrest of their leader Saad Rizvi, in Lahore, Pakistan [/K.M. Chaudary/AP]
  • About
    • About Us
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms and Conditions
    • EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Community Guidelines
    • Work for us
    • HR Quality
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Apps
    • Newsletters
    • Channel Finder
    • TV Schedule
    • Podcasts
    • Submit a Tip
  • Our Channels
    • Al Jazeera Arabic
    • Al Jazeera English
    • Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
    • Al Jazeera Mubasher
    • Al Jazeera Documentary
    • Al Jazeera Balkans
    • AJ+
  • Our Network
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
    • Al Jazeera Media Institute
    • Learn Arabic
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
    • Al Jazeera Forum
    • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners
Follow Al Jazeera English:rssinstagramyoutubetwitterfacebook
logo
© 2021 Al Jazeera Media Network