Zee Media Bureau

Varanasi: In an unusual development, Samajwadi Party workers on Thursday washed the statue of Madan Mohan Malaviya with `Gangajal`, which was garlanded by BJP`s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi earlier in the day.

Justifying the move, an SP supporter said that they washed the statue of the founder of the Banaras Hindu University because of Modi`s involvement in 2002 Gujarat riots. He further said that people of the holy city won`t accept the Gujarat Chief Minister.

Earlier, Modi paid respects at the statue of Malaviya at the BHU amidst huge enthusiastic crowd. At the university, he was welcomed by thousands of people as sound of conch shells reverberated the air.

The BJP strongman, who filed his nomination from Varanasi today was given a rousing welcome by the party supporters. The electoral battle in the holy city has become very interesting as he has been challenged by AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal.

Thousands of people wearing saffron caps, Modi masks and holding BJP flags, lined up along Nadesar, Andhrapaul, Lahurabeer and Cant area in the heart of the city through which he carried out his road show before filing the nomination.

While addressing the media, Modi said: "Earlier, I thought that the BJP sent me here. After coming here, I feel that I have been called here by Mother Ganges and I feel like a child with its mother."