Uttar Pradesh is witnessing many sizzling contests this elections, but the biggest one will unfold in Varanasi. AamAadmi Party’s mercurialArvindKejriwal,pitted against BJP’s firebrandNarendraModifrom here, and has started the holy city’s whirlwind tour on Tuesday.

 

Commencing his election tour with–Jansabhas or public meetings, there was anattempt to connect with the aamaadmi, and slips were provided to people, so that they could put up their queries directly to him.

 

"We simply want reinstatement of our basic rights which have been flouted by politicians, since independence. AAP is the only political outfit that is offering that to us," a Varanasi resident said.

 

With 16 per cent muslim population in the city and a majority of them supporting AAP, Arvind is bound to give the BJP a tough fight. "Minorities want to support the AamAadmi Party." "We don't want hatemongers to be our leaders." said another resident Arshad Khan.

 

Except 2004, Varanasi has always been a BJP bastion ever since the Ayodhya and imbroglio reached its climax in 1991. Not everyone is impressed by the AAP. "They ran away from governance in Delhi and are now asking for our vote. They were slapped there and the same will happen even in Varanasi," said a resident Ram Singh.