Varanasi: For once, there is more politics than spirituality, or so it seems, in Varanasi, reputedly the most ancient living city on earth.

All around there is frenetic political activity. The deafening campaign for Monday's Lok Sabha election ended Saturday evening after all political players gave a final push in the sweltering heat.

Paul Benetto, an Italian on an Indian summer sojourn, is amazed. A taxi driver, he now prefers the cacophony of the election campaign in Varanasi over the serenity of the Buddhist stupa in Sarnath.

He is bewildered by the sea of "political caps" in different hues and colours. In broken English, he says the election scene has left him "speechless".

The temple town, said to be perched atop a 'trishul' (trident) held by Lord Shiva, its reigning deity, is choked with people from Gujarat, Delhi and other parts of the country to witness an epic battle between BJP's prime ministerial aspirant Narendra Modi, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and Ajay Rai of the Congress.

There are no vacant rooms in dharamshalas, hotels, paying guest houses and government-owned residential complexes.

All have been booked by different political parties for their leaders and supporters.

Modi, the BJP candidate, took out two impressive road shows in a show of strength. Kejriwal and his supporters are engaged in street meetings to woo the electorate.

In the summer heat, over 40 candidates, including a transgender, are campaigning relentlessly.

Modi fan Gopal Mishra told IANS that the city has already decided to go the Modi way. According to him, Modi's opponents are wasting their time.

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