It is 'son of the soil' versus 'outsiders' in Varanasi: Rai

He also took strong objection to Modi promising to develop the banks of Ganges on the lines of development work along the Sabarmati river in Gujarat. “Modi destroyed areas along Sabarmati by allowing setting up of five-star hotels and other constructions. Is he talking about imposing the Sabarmato model here. It will not be tolerated by people of Varanasi. He will not understand the spiritual significance of Ganga for people here,” Rai said.

“The people of Varanasi would like to keep Ganga as it is. They will not tolerate any dam or construction along it.People of Varanasi have realised that Modi was trying to mislead them,” he said.

Sounding confident of putting up a good show, Rai tried to project the fight as “local versus outsiders” who have little idea about the spiritual identity of the ancient temple town.

“History will be rewritten in Varanasi on May 12. It is fight between son of the soil and outsiders Modi and Arvind Kejriwal. People of Varanasi love me and I am confident of my success,” Rai said.