Opponents plan to slice up Modi's Varanasi pie

"As he files his nomination papers April 24, you will see the wave turn into a tsunami for Modiji" Shah said.

However, both regional satraps -- SP's Mulayam Singh Yadav and BSP's Mayawati -- seem uninterested in giving Modi a tough time. Despite fielding candidates against Modi, they are unlikely to iron out their differences for what many say is a "larger cause".

One small but significant victory seems to have come in the way of the opposition camps as the CPI-ML has extended its support to the AAP. CPI-ML state secretary Ramji Rai told IANS that this had been done to "contain communal forces".

Varanasi goes to the polls May 12, in the last phase of the staggered polling schedule.