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India election: Narendra Modi faces Arvind Kejriwal on final vote day India election: Narendra Modi faces Arvind Kejriwal on final vote day
(about 2 hours later)
Voting has begun in the battleground of Varanasi as India votes in the final phase of its mammoth general election. The final day of voting has begun in India's general election, with huge crowds turning up in the sacred city of Varanasi, a key election battleground.
The main opposition BJP's leader Narendra Modi remains a front-runner in the seat, but is being challenged by Arvind Kejriwal of the new anti-corruption Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Opposition BJP leader Narendra Modi is being challenged in the seat by anti-corruption campaigner Arvind Kejriwal.
Voting is due in 41 seats on Monday in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Votes are also being cast in 40 other seats in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal states. The first exit polls are expected on Monday evening.
The nine-phase election began on 7 May. Vote counting is due on 16 May. Mr Modi is ahead in all the opinion polls. Votes will be counted on 16 May.
With 814 million eligible voters, India's election is the world's biggest exercise in democracy and the governing Congress party is battling the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for power. Mr Modi is ahead in all the opinion polls. India's marathon election began on 7 April and has been held in nine phases for security and logistical reasons.
'Epic battle' With 814 million eligible voters, it is the world's biggest exercise in democracy and the governing Congress party is battling the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for power.
The BBC Hindi's Nitin Srivastava in Varanasi says huge crowds, including a large number of women, are turning up at polling stations, after voting began at 07:00 local time (01:30 GMT). 'Ballot for progress'
Most people are walking or taking cycle rickshaws to the booths as there are traffic restrictions in the city, our correspondent says. Varanasi has been the scene of frenzied political campaigning not seen in the ancient city in decades. The city been turned into a virtual fortress with thousands of police and paramilitaries deployed to ensure peaceful polling.
BBC Hindi's Nitin Srivastava in the city says large crowds, including many women, are turning up at polling stations, after voting began at 07:00 local time (01:30 GMT).
People are walking or taking cycle rickshaws to the booths as traffic restrictions are in place across the city, our correspondent says.
"Varanasi will finally see some change and development. I am glad to have lived for the day," Ramavati, 93, said."Varanasi will finally see some change and development. I am glad to have lived for the day," Ramavati, 93, said.
"I have voted for the about-to-be PM of India, Narendra Modi," Setupati Tripathi, 35, told AFP news agency after casting his ballot. One woman told the BBC that she had cast her ballot "for the person who will bring development and progress".
"He is winning for sure and that's one reason of me voting for him. With him winning the Varanasi seat, I am also confident about the development of this millennia-old city as a tourist destination."
A woman voter told the BBC that she had cast her ballot "for the person who will bring development and progress".
"The main issues are inflation, corruption and unemployment," she said."The main issues are inflation, corruption and unemployment," she said.
Varanasi has seen a frenzy of political campaigning not seen in the ancient city in decades. Mr Modi is being given a spirited fight by Mr Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party, whose army of volunteers is engaged in extensive door-to-door campaigning.
Mr Modi is being given a spirited fight by Mr Kejriwal whose army of volunteers is engaged in extensive door-to-door campaigning.
There are a total of 42 candidates in the fray in the seat, including the Congress party's Ajay Rai, a local political leader.There are a total of 42 candidates in the fray in the seat, including the Congress party's Ajay Rai, a local political leader.
Correspondents report this seems to be the most prestigious battle in the elections - top leaders from the BJP, Congress and AAP have all campaigned here for their candidates in the past weeks. Correspondents say that this appears to be the most prestigious and high profile battle in the elections - top leaders from the BJP, Congress and AAP have all campaigned here for their candidates in the past weeks.
"This is a very politically conscious city. The epic battle between Mr Modi and Mr Kejriwal has pulled the city out of political oblivion," says Dr Vishwanath Pandey, who teaches at the Benares Hindu University."This is a very politically conscious city. The epic battle between Mr Modi and Mr Kejriwal has pulled the city out of political oblivion," says Dr Vishwanath Pandey, who teaches at the Benares Hindu University.
Varanasi has been turned into a fortress with thousands of police and paramilitaries deployed to ensure peaceful polling.
The state of Uttar Pradesh, where Varanasi is located, returns more MPs than any other and is often described as India's battleground state.The state of Uttar Pradesh, where Varanasi is located, returns more MPs than any other and is often described as India's battleground state.
Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges river, has long been neglected despite its religious significance and suffers from dismal infrastructure. Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges river, has long been neglected despite its religious significance and its infrastructure is badly in need of repair.
Both Mr Modi and Mr Kejriwal have promised to work for the city's development if elected.Both Mr Modi and Mr Kejriwal have promised to work for the city's development if elected.