Crowd in Modi's roadshow not from Varanasi: Mayawati

"Most people who were there at Modi's roadshow were not from Varanasi; they were brought from outside. This is a planned strategy of the BJP to give a false impression to the people that they enjoy majority in a constituency," alleged Mayawati.

"The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) must look into this matter," she said.
        
Modi on Thursday held a grand roadshow to garner support for himself from Varanasi  in Uttar Pradesh.

For over three hours, the people of Varanasi cheered, shouted slogans in the support of the Gujarat chief minister and showered rose petals asModi rode an open truck.

En route, Modi made multiple stops like at a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a freedom fighter from Modi's home state of Gujarat and India's first Home Minister.

"I thank the policemen and security forces who were there during the entire roadshow & nomination process," Modi tweeted following the success of the roadshow.

On Thursday he filed his nomination papers from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency.

He reached Varanasi around 8.30 am and filed his nomination papers at the Collector's office post a road show in Maldahiya.

Earlier in the day, Modi tweeted: "Friends today I will file my nomination papers from Varanasi. I seek your support & blessings as I embark on this journey."

"I thank Party leadership for giving me an opportunity to contest from Varanasi, a confluence of history, culture, tradition & spirituality," he said.

"My special gratitude to all Karyakartas & well wishers who have been tirelessly working on the ground & supporting me from all over India," he posted on Twitter.

Earlier on Apr 9, Modi filed his nomination from Vadodara in Gujarat.

Polling will be held in Varanasi on May 9 and 12.