LIVE: My silence will have more strength than my words, says Modi in Rohaniya, Varanasi rally

New Delhi: BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi alleged Thursday that the security reasons raised to cancel one of his two planned rallies in Varanasi were fake.Addressing an election rally at Rohaniya, 12 km from here, Modi also hinted that the Congress was influencing the Election Commission to place curbs on him in Varanasi where he is the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate.Addressing tens of thousands of cheering supporters, Modi said that supposed security threats were being used to prevent him from meeting the people of Varanasi and perform an aarti at the Ganges."I have addressed more than 400 rallies across the country in the last seven months... in terror-hit areas, in Maoist areas... but there has been no security threat."Why has suddenly this threat come up in Varanasi?" he asked, while citing comments by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram. "I am ready to die. So why are you afraid?"The BJP has declared virtual war on the Election Commission after it initially put curbs on Modi's two rallies but later, on the recommendation of local authorities, allowed one rally on Varanasi's outskirts.Modi was also allowed to interact with "intellectuals" at a hotel and do the Ganga aarti but the BJP called off those events saying the green signal came too late.The Gujarat chief minister asked the Election Commission to ensure free and fair polling Monday, the last round of the staggered Lok Sabha election that began April 7.Accusing Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi of targeting him for challenging them, he said his only agenda for coming to Kashi - as Varanasi is known - was to promote development.Spelling out his vision for the temple town, he said he wants to put Varanasi on the global tourism map by showcasing its ghats, temples and other heritage monuments.He said the winds of development will sweep the city only if he won from Varanasi, where his main opponents are AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and Ajay Rai of the Congress.Modi also accused the Congress-led central government of harassing him for more than a decade by unleashing the CBI after him."Now they do not even want to see my face," he said to loud cheers.He recalled the late Apna Dal founder Sonelal Patel in his address. The Apna Dal is in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Varanasi is home to a large number of Patels.Modi said he did not believe in caste politics but "I feel sad when my opponents ask about my caste".Here we are giving you live updates of Modi's rally::Modi's rally in Rohaniya, near Varanasi05:02 pm: Modi concludes his speech. The crowd continues to cheer for him as he descends from the stage. 04:55 pm: Modi: They even prevented me from worshipping mother Ganga. I am a man of disciple. I'm following the instruction given to me but people will not forgive you. You made CBI chase me. You have troubled me for 14 years. So listen, Congress party has been defeated and Election Commission cannot save you either. People have defeated you. I don't know under whose pressure you are working. Brothers and sisters if Modi doesn't speak then his silence will be mightier than his words. My silence will be more than enough for the people. If not today then I'll come back to mother Ganga so other day. What kind of government do you want in Delhi? Will a weak, hospitalized government serve any good? If you want a strong government then vote for BJP. Vote for me. Give me a chance to work for you. 04:53 pm: Modi: I had to do many rallies in Kashi, but those who are against me played their cards and election commission said that I couldn't hold rallies because of security reasons. I have been to Jammu Kashmir, tribal region and areas threatened by Maoists. Despite that I'm alive. Yet I'm unsafe in Varanasi. Can't this father – son lead government give security to one man? Can't mother – son government provide security to me? Our Home Minister had said few days back that Modi has been given sufficient protection. He is safe. Four days back Chidambaram said he is save. They are trying to deprive me of my democratic right. Isn't this injustice to me? Isn't this injustice to the people of Kashi. And if I am ready to die what is their problem?04:52 pm: Modi: I have never talked of my caste because I believe in one India. Then they tried to find out my caste. If I am saying Sabka Saath sabka vikas, then you may also say that. Why are you getting offensive? 04:50 pm: Modi: My rally had been scheduled for Varanasi. But people who have been defeated in these elections are worried and they are fed up of Modi's speeches. I never used to talk about myself. But they started abusing me. So I thought I will now reveal my identity. While addressing a rally in Delhi I said revealed that I used to sell tea in trains. So Congress sent its people to Gujarat to find out. 04:49 pm: Once youth gets employed, development process will begin. I surrender my experience, my heart and soul to Kashi. 04:43 pm: Modi: Lal Bahadur Shashtri used to say Jai Jawan Jai Kisan – does it stand true today? Flats were made for widows of martyrs. Ministers of the government gifted them to their relatives and friends. I want to tell you something more shocking. We've faced so many wars and attacks –Pakistan war, Indo - China war, Maoists attack. Many of our soldiers died. But more farmers have committed suicide in the past 10 years – over 2 lakh more than soldiers who died in war. Lal Bahadur Shashtri used to say Jai Jawan Jai Kisan, now mother – son government has made it Mar jawan Mar Kisan. Our farmers are suffering. BJP in its manifesto has stated that the amount invested by the farmers on cultivation with an addition of 50% will be given. Brothers and sisters, this mother – son led government said that 10 crore people will get employed. Have anyone of you got? Did any of your relative get employed? 04:41 pm: Modi: We have desert in Gujarat. Even officers didn't want to go there earlier. I called Amitabh Bachan and in five years I made it a tourist hub. People pay for sand. Can you beat that? If sand can generate income then why can't Kashi. I have the potential. I can do it.04:38 pm: Modi: Today tourism is the most growing business. It is said that this industry is worth 3 trillion dollar. There is 40% growth in this industry. Kashi has the capability of driving the world mad with tourism. If people visit Europe to see Shakespeare then they come here to see Tulsidas, Kabir Das and Bismallah Khan. I will make Kashi a major tourist site. I want to create an atmosphere where people would feel compelled to come here. The best part is it is a cheap business. It would be propitious for flower seller gains, handicraft, sari, carpet, Prasad makers and tea sellers. Auto walla, rickshaw pullers- Everyone gains. 04:35 pm: Modi: Handloom has a huge market value. I will make your business international and contemporary. Our weavers should get the best opportunities. Gujarati's love flying kites. Mostly poor Muslims make them. When I became the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001 I told people o research on kites. I thought of how raw materials need to be managed, etc. What was the result? Our poor Muslims, now do a business of 700 crore annually. If kite business can make them prosper then think of our carpets. You only need someone to hold your hands. 04:32 pm: Modi: As a daughter Anupriya might miss her father Sone Lal Patel. But I too miss him on many occasions. Sardar Vallabhai Patel's dreams have to be fulfilled. When India was known as ‘Vishwa guru', then Varanasi was recognized as the capital of ‘Vishwa Guru'. Pt Madan Mohan Malviya took the initiative to restore Kashi's position. But 60 years of poor governance had slowed the process. I want the world to refer to Kashi as education hub. Surat is renowned for silk and handloom industries. Very few people are aware that Varanasi had taught them the art. In Surat we even have a ‘Benares mohalla'. The whole world must come here for handlooms, carpets and saris. A ‘Narendra Modi' can do that. 04:26 Just as Sabarmati river has changed in Gujarat, Ganga can also change. Can the holiness, purity of this rive die? Ganga is revered by people. Bismillah Khan said, “I cannot leave Ganga”. I have come to Kashi maybe because I have had some old connection with you. I have come with one agenda – Development. Why do I want development? I want development because if you look at the map of India you have the western side and the eastern side. In the western part of India you all all the developed sections. But on the eastern side we have places like Orissa, Bengal, Bihar, Eastern UP that are underdeveloped. My eastern India is underdeveloped, north east, Kashi. Can India grow like this? I have a dream. Just like developmental activities are taking place in Western India it should happen here too. Can't places like Ranchi, Bhubaneshwar, Kashi- grow?I have come to change, to develop and to serve you. Give me an opportunity. I don't want to waste time on those who abuse or speak ill of me. 04:22 pm: Modi: Brothers and sisters, I have seen many public meetings but never with so many people. You all are here in this heat. I will never let your strife go in vain. The love that you are showering upon me…I will return through development. I am not just your election candidate. Now Modi is connected with you through the bond of love. That's why without any hesitation you can talk to me and I will work for you like a servant and not dictator. 04:21 pm: Modi begins his speech. The crowd erupts in cheers for him. Modi's rally in Azamgarh:01:01 pm: Modi concludes his speech01:00 pm: Modi: Its your job now to ensure a strong government in Delhi12:54 pm: Modi: You think SP, BSP and Congress are different? They wrestle in Lucknow and in Delhi they eat on the same platter and Delhi Madam serves them. Can you trust such people? Do any of them talk of price hike? Do they talk of welfare of farmers, youth employment, etc? What are they saying? – ‘Modi rook'…do you know why they want to stop me? They know that if Modi comes to power then where they will be. Tell me what kind of government should be there in Delhi…Crowd: Modi…I'm asking what kind not who. Will a weak government do? This huge nation needs a strong government right. If an inspector of your locality is weak then will you like that? Even 5 year old student wants a strong teacher. If you want to form a strong government in Delhi then you will have to send all the lotuses to Delhi. When are the elections in UP?Crowd: 12th MayModi: So will you do what I tell you too?Crowd: Yes!Modi: First vote then have breakfast. 12:49 pm: Modi: Why do farmers suffer? Why do farmers who cultivate sugarcane suffer? BJP has mentioned in their manifesto, that exploitation of farmers in the name of Minimum Cost Price will be halted.Minimum cost price will now be fixed through some mechanism. Expenditure incurred in cost of production will be covered with 50% bonus. That will be the minimum cost price. Will you suffer then? Corwd: No!12:47 pm: Crowd: Modi Modi!!!Modi: I'm honored by your love…In the past three phases there have been elections in UP, Bihar and West Bengal. I want to tell the election commission, you have failed to carry out your responsibility. Should elections be fair? Should hooliganism be accepted? With immense weight I accuse EC of being partial. 12:42 pm: I'm amazed to see the crowd here. All this respect and honor that you have bestowed on me gives me renewed strength and spirit. People tell me that there is vast difference between other elections and these elections. In this 1.25 crore people have new hope. Do you believe good days are going to come?Crowd: Yes!Do believe that? Your one vote can save the nation. It can pull out the nation from 10 years of corrupt governance. Earlier in Lucknow we had bhenji's government and then father – son government. Tell me has there been any difference in your life. Tell me have you benefited? Has the youth benefited? But what do they do? They only work for themselves, their friends, relatives and their close ones…Crowd: Modi Modi; crowd cheers….12:40 pm: Modi begins his speech in Azamgarh