Thursday saw Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Narendra Modi ride through Varanasi, one of the two constituencies from which he is contesting. The other is Vadodara.

Modi put on a show of strength in response to an Election Commission order refusing him permission to hold a rally in the venue of his choice, citing security concerns. He held a series of smaller meetings instead.


Narendra Modi's helicopter takes off from Varanasi on Thursday. Instagram photo by @ravimishraindia.