Following the electoral setback in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP secured only 33 seats, a significant decline from the 62 seats won in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to return to Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency, on Tuesday. This visit, the first since the poll results, is aimed at connecting with farmers.
The evening’s agenda includes PM Modi witnessing the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat and performing pooja and darshan at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. However, the focal point of the visit is his participation in the PM Kisan Samman Sammelan.
In a symbolic gesture highlighting the government’s commitment, PM Modi’s first official act after assuming office for the third term was authorizing the release of the 17th installment of PM Kisan Nidhi, a direct transfer scheme benefitting farmers.
On Tuesday, PM Modi will distribute the 17th installment, totaling over ₹20,000 crores, to approximately 9.26 crore farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme through Direct Benefit Transfer. Over 11 crore eligible farmer families have received benefits from the scheme so far.
The choice of Varanasi as the venue is noteworthy, as while Modi secured a significant victory there, the BJP’s performance in the region was less impressive.
The Varanasi region comprises 12 Lok Sabha seats, of which the BJP, along with ally Apna Dal-Soneylal, won seven in 2019 but fared poorly this time, securing only three seats. This includes the loss of seats in Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Ghosi, Lalganj, Azamgarh, and Ballia—all within the Varanasi belt.
By personally attending the event in Varanasi, PM Modi is sending a strong message, emphasizing the importance of the region to his government. The event will also see the Prime Minister awarding certificates to over 30,000 women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) as Krishi Sakhis, highlighting the government’s focus on empowering rural women.
With an eye on the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections, the BJP is keen to regain lost ground in the state, with PM Modi’s leadership being central to the party’s strategy.