Train to Benaras: Modi vs Priyanka, alliance fightback dominate talk

Varanasi: On the eight-hour ride to Varanasi aboard India’s fastest train on Wednesday, the Vande Bharat Express, it is hard to find a person critical of Narendra Modi. The SP-BSP alliance will push back BJP by some seats, Congress has no credible leadership, and Modi deserves another chance -- is the refrain of people going to UP’s major cities of Kanpur, Prayagraj and Varanasi on this train.

A major talking point is if Priyanka Gandhi will contest from Varanasi against PM Modi. In one coach, the query over the same and Modi’s chances sparks a heated debate. “She would just end up humiliating herself with a big defeat. In Varanasi, it is impossible to beat Modi. Yes, the alliance will cause losses to BJP, but Modi will be PM again,” said Prabhakar Acharya, a government employee who is returning home to Varanasi from Kanpur.

His neighbour on the next seat from Kanpur, another government employee Shiv Kumar, quick refuted. “I don’t think this government should be repeated, at least not with a full majority. In a democracy, such authoritarian power is not good. The misfortune is that there is no alternative for a voter. Rahul Gandhi as a face does not inspire confidence. Congress needs to change the face,” said Kumar, pointing to Priyanka Gandhi. “Why change the face? Why not change the family?” Acharya argued.

Sitting across the aisle, a Daryaganj trader travelling to Varanasi, Abdul Muheed, had been listening quietly. “I don’t dispute that Modi has brought development. But look at how sealing has damaged traders in Delhi. Why would they vote for BJP? Also, why are these statements like Ali-Bajrangbali made? You can assess for yourself,” Muheed reasoned.

Political arguments break out in other coaches too. Sanjay Singh, a businessman travelling to Varanasi, said he has seen a revolutionary transformation in the city. “Priyanka may be a charismatic leader but what has she done for the country? She has just come now before polls,” Singh said.

His immediate passenger on the train happens to be UP Congress general secretary KN Pandey. “If Priyanka fights from Varanasi, toh Modi ko bahut bhari padega (things will get tough for Modi). Has Modi given any jobs in Varanasi? Has he visited any villager in his constituency? He just did big rallies,” Pandey chipped in.

A police personnel travelling on the same train explained his ground-level feedback, on the condition of anonymity, after performing election duties in various parts of the state. “BJP is strong in cities but in villages of UP, the alliance is doing well as the caste equations are strong. I was in Bijnore where people seemed inclined towards the alliance but in Bareilly, the mood seemed for the BJP. The common refrain among people is they are not seeing the candidate, but voting for Modi or their caste leaders, Mayawati or Akhilesh Yadav,” he said.

Two businessmen sitting alongside en route to Varanasi, Krishna Murari from Sonbhadra and Rajesh Shrivastava from Prayagraj, endorsed that the ‘Modi Magic’ persisting. “The alliance will get votes but not many seats. Traders will not desert Modi just because GST rollout was a problem,” Murari explained. “Modi is India’s biggest brand. It will be Har Har Modi this time too,” said Shrivastava.

Many BJP volunteers are also on the train on Wednesday, travelling to Varanasi for Modi’s road show and nomination over the next two days. In Varanasi, BJP president Amit Shah and union ministers Piyush Goyal and JP Nadda have taken charge since Tuesday to ensure grand preparations for the 7-km long road show. “Congress seems in a big dilemma over fielding Priyanka Gandhi,” Shah said at a press conference in Varanasi.

All BJP allies like Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, former Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and all senior union ministers like Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj will also attend the nomination filing by Narendra Modi on Friday. Proposers like the Dom Raja of Kashi, a kin of the late Ustad Bismillah Khan, a boatman and a chowkidar are on the cards for the PM’s nomination.