Varansi: AAP deploys 250 cameras to prevent 'foul play' by BJP

As the high-voltage campaign for the last phase of polling on Monday ended in this temple town, Aam Aadmi Party today announced that it has deployed 250 spy cameras across the city to keep a tab on BJP workers, alleging they may try to influence voters by offering money and liquor.

In a press conference, AAP leader Sanjay Singh claimed that the BJP may try its best to lure the voters by "illegal means" as it has realized that its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi was going to be defeated by Arvind Kejriwal in the mega battle.

"We think there will be efforts by BJP to distribute money and liquor in the run up to the elections on Monday. So we have deployed 250 volunteers carrying spy cameras to check such illegal activities," he said while exuding confidence of  handing a crushing defeat to Modi who is contesting from here.

Singh said the contest will be between Modi and Kejriwal and Congress candidate Ajay Rai will not be able to make any significant impact in the elections.

He said though Rahul Gandhi held a road show today, it will not help Congress win hearts of people in Varanasi.

Another senior AAP leader Yogendra Yadav said the party was amazed to see the "massive support" for the fledging party across the country in its debut Lok Sabha election.

The AAP has fielded 422 candidates in the election.

"We have charted a different course challenging the established parties as well as some top industrial houses who have huge financial power. We are happy with the love and support given by the people of the country," he said.

Mainly targeting the BJP, Yadav said "this election will be known for shameless use of money and media to create a wave for one person. It had never happened before. We had to fight against all the odds".

"For us the result of the election was not everything. What we are aiming is to make systemic changes in our polity and governance structure," he added.

The AAP leader refused to answer if the party would support a Third Front government.

Claiming that BJP was totally frustrated by the support extended to Kejriwal by the people of Varanasi, Singh said it was reflected by the number of instances wherein AAP volunteers had been beaten up across the city allegedly by workers of the saffron party.

"They may even resort to booth capturing. I appeal to people to remain vigilant in the next 48 hours," he said.

The city witnessed intense campaigning by AAP, BJP and Congress in the last three-four days as prominent leaders of all the three parties campaigned here to win the support of the people.

The contest here is being dubbed as the most engrossing one as two of the most widely talked about politicians are putting up an aggressive fight in the holy city.

Kejriwal had yesterday carried out a massive road show criss-crossing various key localities of the city a day after Modi drove through a five kilometer stretch after being denied permission to hold a rally at Beniabagh.

In 2009 Lok Sabha elections, senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi had won the seat after defeating Mukhtar Ansari by a margin of  17,000 votes.

Ansari, who is known to have a strong support base among the Muslims, has supported Congress' Rai.

The Samajwadi Party has fielded Kailash Chaurasiya, a sitting MLA from nearby Mirzapur.