The academic added that development was more important an issue for Varanasi's voters than corruption -- a pet theme of Kejriwal, the former Delhi chief minister.
Praful Krishan, a BHU scholar, said he had no particular political leanings but would vote for Modi "as I don't see any other alternative and the Congress has ruined the country".
Another Varanasi resident, Ram Mehta, was emphatic: "No one can challenge Modi. He is our future prime minister. And Varanasi will be proud to be represented in parliament by its prime minister."
Basmati Devi, a woman in her 50s, said she had never seen such a large gathering in Varanasi.
Looking his usual confident self, Modi flew into Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, Thursday -- a day after Kejriwal filed his nomination -- and made his way to BHU to garland its founder, Madan Mohan Malaviya.
