Mamata Banerjee, Jaya Bachchan take stage at SP’s power-packed rally on PM’s turf Varanasi

Supporters at a rally in Varanasi Thursday where West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee turned up to root for the SP-led alliance | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Varanasi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav Thursday held a public rally in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency Varanasi.

Banerjee alleged she was “attacked by BJP workers” on her arrival in Varanasi Wednesday. The manner in which the “party workers attacked” her, she said, showed that the “BJP has lost the plot”. “The BJP’s loss is imminent,” she added, addressing the rally.

The West Bengal CM is in town to campaign for the Samajwadi Party-led alliance, which includes the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), among others.

Others who attended the rally included SP leaders Ram Gopal Yadav and Shivpal Yadav, RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary, and SBSP chief O.P. Rajbhar.

Banerjee said she was sure about the SP’s victory in the ongoing UP assembly elections. She’s also likely to be in Varanasi Friday. PM Modi is expected to hold a roadshow in his parliamentary constituency too.

The eight assembly segments under Varanasi district are among the seats that will vote during the last and seventh phase on 7 March. The votes will be counted on 10 March.

Samajwadi Party supporters stand on the terrace of a building near the rally venue | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

SP leader Akhilesh Yadav and RLD’s Jayant Chaudhary at the rally | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Leaders take stage at the rally in Shivpur | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Supporters of the SP-led alliance clamour for a clear view during the rally | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

SP’s Akhilesh Yadav during the rally | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

SP’s Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan at the rally | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Supporters at the rally | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Two youngsters carry the SP flag | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

A supporter holds a cut-out of Akhilesh Yadav and his wife Dimple Yadav | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Akhilesh Yadav with SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on stage. SBSP chief O.P. Rajbhar is also seen (in yellow jacket) | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Supporters cheer for the leaders at the rally | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

(L-R) West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav, SP president Akhilesh Yadav, and RLD president Jayant Chaudhary at the rally | Photo: Praveen Jain |ThePrint