Experiencing Narendra Modi's massive yatra down the streets of Varanasi on Thursday, April 24, as he proceeded to file his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha election, it became obvious this wasn't any ordinary mobilisation.
Irrespective of who wins how many seats on May 16, there was an energy that couldn't be ignored.
In television studios, the usual cynics disagreed. One went on and on about the big show proving, counterintuitively, there was no Modi wave. Apparently, it betrayed a desperate BJP, trying to give the pretence of strength.
Another worthy said he was worried about the blood pressure of Modi's clamorous supporters if and when he lost the election and failed to become prime minister.
On the ground in Varanasi, however, it was obvious Modi had touched a chord. Bismillah Khan's family may have stayed away from the nomination process, but in his selection of the four people who finally signed his candidature form, Modi was true to his history of razorsharp messaging.
He chose a retired judge, descended from the family of Madan Mohan Malviya, an acclaimed classical musician, a member of the weaver community, and a humble boatman, described evocatively as a "Ganga sevak" (servant of the Ganga).
These were careful choices. They represented the best Varanasi prides itself on and believes of itself - wisdom and jurisprudence, heritage, high culture, the weaving and handloom industry, and the perennial, immortal river that gives the city its essential identity. This pointed and telling selection fell into a pattern. Modi has written two blogs on Varanasi, the second on the morning ofhis nomination event.
Here he touched every politically correct note - from the Buddha to Sant Ravidas, from Kabir to Bismillah, from Malviya to how Mirza Ghalib called Varanasi "Kaaba-e-Hindustan" and "Chirag-e-Dair" or Light of the World.
Why is Modi going to such elaborate lengths? This is an election and not a seminar on the magic realism of Varanasi so it stands to reason that he would have a political purpose.
He is aiming to not just win the election but actually have the city embrace him by positioning himself as a rightful legatee to the soul of Banaras.
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