Varanasi looks to Modi for much desired political relevance

“Ab Khel Badal Gaya Hai”, says Utpal Pathak a research scholar. If BJP workers are in a state of euphoria and jubilation, there is an almost matching enthusiasm among neo Narendra Modi sympathisers over his decision to contest from Varanasi, with the general feeling that this has changed the game in the region. The announcement coming just ahead of Holi, has given Varanasi party workers and supporters all the more reason to celebrate, adding additional flavour to the city’s famed Bhang. After all it’s Kashi. It first gave the slogan Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi. The BJP is now using that slogan beyond the boundaries of this region and taking it nationally. Various other slogans are being furiously been churned out such as Bachha Mange Maa Ki Godi, Kashi Mange Narendra Modi, Kyun Pade ho Chakar me koi nahi hai Takar me. But it all boils down to the final coinage, Assi ki Rassakasi. Assi is a famous ghat on banks of river Ganga in Varanasi and Assi is about eight seats in Uttar Pradesh. [caption id=“attachment_1436983” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Reuters[/caption] The rising euphoria around Modi has some parallels in Amitabh Bachchan’s landing in Allahabad in 1984 to take on a mighty Hemvanti Nandan Bahuguna. But then Bachchan was only playing a small part, making a special appearance in a script written by his friend, then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He was only playing a character. In Modi’s case, he is writer, producer, director, actor and the lead hero of the BJP, which can potentially grab power at the centre. The candidates of the other parties will still be there when Varanasi goes to the polls on 12 May but on the ground level, Modi has become an all encompassing force. Ratnakar Tripathi a local Congress worker is all for Modi. He says he evokes varied expectations in varied sections of people. He is going to be the biggest ever winner. Arvind Kejriwal may make media headlines, if he finally decides to take on Modi in this city but in the end he will surely not cherish the final outcome. A question that has been making the rounds, is whether he will be able to save his deposit. Varanasi is a different city, people are more politically aware and have a penchant for dissecting the credentials of those talking to them. Kejriwal’s bravado and headline hogging tactic could boomerang on him. In any case, with the exception of 1967 Varanasi has never chosen anyone other than a BJP or Congress candidate. The Aam Admi Party does not find a reference among the locals. Modi’s decision to contest from Varanasi has skyrocketed popular expectation, with the belief that for they are finally getting someone who will be able to address the very basic needs of a city that is dying.   The Gujarat model has suddenly become a cherished idea, which must be given a chance to be replicated in their own land. The holiest of holy Ganga must be cleaned and there seems to a certain belief among a section of the people that Modi can do it just like he cleaned and beautified Sabarmati. Years of neglect by the powers that be to the real issues has made people believe in a man who is perceived to be a doer. The story of migrants from UP, particularly those engaged in weaving and diamond cutting in various cities of Gujarat, is also finding many ears in Varanasi. There is hardly any space for a counter point or argument for Modi’s rivals. In many ways popular aspirations in Varanasi is reflective of how Modi, the one time poster boy of Hindutva, has transformed into a development messiah. There seems to be an overflow of enthusiast passions. Varanasi, considered the holiest of holy, abode of Lord Shiva has a national and international profile but it has not had a matching political profile. In its aspiration to be politically significant, it sent Kamla Pati Tripathi to Parliament in the 1980s and Murli Manohar Joshi in 2009. “This time the election in Varanasi is about electing a PM. It is about giving the constituency the profile that it has long deserved, and also a chance to witness what the term development means”, said Shailesh Singh a banker. Prof KK Mishra a BJP sympathiser says that Kashi has always looked at pride and honour. In Modi as BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, people are looking at fulfilment of those aspirations or even taking it to greater glory. To counter Modi’s impact Mulayam could move to neighbouring Azamgarh, a place that became famous because it had once become a fertile ground for recruitment of the Indian Mujahideen. Azamgarh though currently represented by the BJP is a secularist must visit ground and big talking point. Mulayam’s candidature from there would keep the secular communal debate alive for there is quite a lot of talk as to how Muslims would respond to Modi’s candidature.