Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 5 : Ahead of the third phase of Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed puja and darshan at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on Sunday and then held a 2km roadshow.
As enthusiastic crowd lined up on both sides of the road to take a glimpse of Prime Minister, PM Modi was seen waving at people and showed the BJP's 'lotus' poll symbol to canvass support for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections.
PM Modi's visit to Ayodhya, has garnered significant attention, especially given its timing just before the third phase of Lok Sabha elections in 94 constituencies. It indicates a strategic effort to connect with voters.
This blend of political campaigning and religious symbolism underscores the multifaceted nature of electioneering in India.
Meanwhile, a group of women were seen ahead of PM Modi's roadshow in traditional attire.

Visuals showed people in huge numbers cheering the Prime Minister's convoy from behind the barricades.

During the roadshow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also present.
After offering the prayers, PM Modi began the roadshow from Sugriva Fort and will continue till Lata Chowk. The route of the roadshow has been divided into 40 blocks.
Prior to PM Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
PM Modi arrived in Ayodhya for the first time after the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram temple on January 22.
The 'Pran Pratishtha' of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya's historic temple was held on January 22, with PM Modi performing the Vedic rituals, led by a group of priests.
This will be PM Modi's second roadshow in Ayodhya in the last five months. PM Modi held a grand roadshow during the inauguration of Maharishi Valmiki International Airport on December 30, 2023.
PM Modi also addressed a rally at Etawah before heading to Ayodhya.
While adressing a rally, he lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after the Wayanad MP had mocked the Prime Minister's visit to Dwarka on February 25 where he dived into the Arabian Sea off the coast of Gujarat to perform a puja and asked the Samajwadi Party (who claims themselves Yaduvanshi) that how they can sit with a party that insulted Lord Krishna.
The polling in Uttar Pradesh, which sends 80 members to the Lower House is being held in all seven phases of the parliamentary elections. Voting in 16 seats was completed in the first two phases.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demonstrated a solid majority in UP in the previous two Lok Sabha elections, gaining the majority of seats.
Meanwhile, the BJP has again fielded sitting MP Lallu Singh from Ayodhya for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Ayodhya (Faizabad) Lok Sabha constituency comprises five Vidhan Sabhas (legislative assemblies): Ayodhya, Bikapur, Milkipur, Rudauli and Dariyabad (Barabanki).
In the 2019 elections, BJP leader Lallu Singh maintained his victory by defeating Samajwadi Party leader Anand Sen Yadav. BJP candidate Lallu Singh received 529,021 votes, while SP candidate Anand Sen Yadav garnered 463,544 votes.
Ayodhya will be voting in the fifth phase on May 20. Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases till June 1 and the counting of votes in all seats is scheduled for June 4.