BJP, SP rivals take their electoral battle to wrestling pit, score love-all

VARANASI: A political rivalry took an unexpected turn on Monday when Samajwadi Party functionary Aman Yadav and BJP councillor’s husband Ram Singh Kallu traded electoral battles for wrestling moves, facing off in a bout at the Bachau Veer Akhara on the Banaras Hindu University campus during Nag Panchami celebrations.After a 15-minute contest in which both tried several wrestling moves to overpower the other, neither could gain the upper hand, leaving the referee with little choice but to declare the match a draw. The cash prize was subsequently divided between the two.Kallu’s wife Geeta Singh and Yadav had previously contested against each other in the councillor election from the same ward. Yadav was the SP candidate, while Kallu’s wife contested on a BJP ticket and defeated him in the electoral battle.Wrestling competitions in Kashi’s akharas are a long-standing Nag Panchami tradition. From early morning, wrestlers of different age groups gathered at akharas across the city. At Bachau Veer Akhara, located near the ancient Hanuman temple inside BHU, both young and senior wrestlers took part in the event.Interestingly, Kallu and Yadav have both trained at the same akhara in the past. During the event, someone invited them to compete against each other, prompting the two leaders to enter the wrestling pit amid loud cheers from the crowd.The bout lasted around 15 minutes, with both using several wrestling moves to overpower the other. However, neither could secure victory, and the referee declared the match a draw.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Varanasi | Silver Rate in Varanasi | Bank Holidays in Varanasi | Public Holidays in Varanasi | Varanasi AQI | Weather in Varanasi | Petrol Price in Varanasi | Diesel Price in Varanasi | CNG Price in Varanasi | LPG Price in VaranasiStay updated with the latest Varanasi news. Download the TOI App.