Elections 2014: Arvind Kejriwal to tour Varanasi villages to woo rural voters

Varanasi: After deciding to take on Narendra Modi in Varanasi, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal will today undertake a road show in the constituency especially villages to woo rural voters.

Varanasi has five constituencies of which three- Varanasi North, South and Cantonment Assembly segments are largely urban and semi-urban in nature.

The road show will focus on Rohania and Sevapuri Assembly constituencies. He is also expected to meet his supporters at the Sigra stadium here.

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal to tour Varanasi villages to woo rural voters. File pic

Kejriwal had yesterday accepted the challenge to contest against Modi from this temple city. Ending weeks of suspense on whether he will directly take on Modi, Kejriwal had made the announcement at a rally here, asserting he wanted to "defeat corrupt people".

"I am ready to face this challenge, but I will need your support. I don't have money to contest election. And like Madan Mohan Malviya, who built the Benaras Hindu University, seeking alms from people, even I shall have to do the same way," he had said.

Accusing Modi of being an "agent" of industrial houses, Kejriwal warned that if he comes to power, "land will be snatched from farmers and given to Adanis and Ambanis at dirt cheap rates. And farmers will have no option but to commit suicide."

Kejriwal had said that a myth about Modi having developed Gujarat was being perpetuated by a section of media while in reality the BJP leader was gifting away farmers' land to industrialists and followed policies which were against small businessmen.

He had said 60,000 small and medium enterprises in Gujarat had shut shop, all aimed at benefiting big industrialists.