Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Varanasi on Monday afternoon -- his first visit to his parliamentary constituency amid Covid-19 pandemic.

Addressing a public meeting in the city, PM Modi tore into the opposition over the protests against the new farm laws. He accused the opposition of spreading rumours and tricking the farmers.

The attack comes when thousands of farmers are gathered at the entry points of the national capital, seeking the repeal of the three laws.

"The farmers are being misled on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who for decades have misled them," he said, referring to the opposition parties but not directly naming them.

Modi said apprehensions and protests are being whipped up by those opposing the Acts. They are misleading society, he said.

"These same people have in the past played tricks with farmers in the name of MSP, loan waiver and fertiliser subsidy," he said. Farmers have been duped for quite a long time, he added.

Efforts are on now to ensure doubling of farmers' income, Modi said, listing schemes launched for them. Earlier, he dedicated to the nation the six-laning of the 73-km highway from Varanasi to Allahabad.