Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Varanasi with a dual focus on infrastructure development and political outreach, as the BJP sharpens its messaging ahead of key elections.
While the visit includes the launch and foundation of projects worth over ₹6,300 crore, the highlight is a massive women-centric gathering that analysts see as a strategic move targeting a crucial voter base.
Focus on ‘Jan Aakrosh Mahila Sammelan’
At the centre of the visit is the ‘Jan Aakrosh Mahila Sammelan’, expected to draw around 50,000 women. The event is being projected as a platform to discuss issues such as women’s safety, dignity, and self-reliance.
Organisers have emphasised that the entire event will be managed by women, including security arrangements handled by women police personnel. The gathering is being closely watched for its political messaging, particularly in the context of upcoming elections.
Major development push
Alongside the public event, Modi will lay the foundation stone for 163 development projects worth ₹6,322 crore. These span multiple sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, water supply, and urban development.
Key projects include the four-lane expansion of the Varanasi–Azamgarh road, construction of a railway overbridge near Kazzakpura, rural drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission, and a sewage treatment plant in Bhagwanpur.
Healthcare initiatives feature a new hospital in Cholapur and upgrades to the trauma centre at Banaras Hindu University. Tourism-related works will focus on redeveloping ghats and improving facilities around religious sites.
Additionally, the Prime Minister will flag off two new Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Varanasi to Pune and Ayodhya to Mumbai.
Religious and political engagements
During his visit, Modi is also scheduled to offer prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple on April 29.
He will be received by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, along with other senior leaders.
The visit is expected to include interactions with public representatives and party workers, reinforcing the BJP’s organisational network in the region.
Political significance amid elections
The timing of the visit is significant, coinciding with the second phase of assembly elections in West Bengal. Modi’s participation in a large women-focused event in Varanasi—likely to receive wide media coverage—is being interpreted as a targeted message to women voters in Bengal.
The outreach also comes against the backdrop of the Centre’s unsuccessful attempt to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, with the BJP blaming Opposition parties for stalling the move.
Opposition response and broader strategy
Opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party and Congress, have questioned whether the focus is more on political messaging than policy implementation. They have also raised broader issues such as the demand for a caste census and clarity on reservation policies.
In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP has intensified its focus on women-centric programmes, including padyatras and outreach campaigns, aiming to build a strong narrative around empowerment and representation.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Modi’s Varanasi visit reflects a blend of governance and political strategy. By combining large-scale development projects with targeted outreach to women, the BJP appears to be positioning itself early for upcoming electoral battles.
The emphasis on women voters, infrastructure growth, and cultural engagement underscores a broader effort to consolidate support in key regions while shaping the narrative ahead of elections.