Accompanied by NDA top brass, PM Modi files poll nomination from Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha election from Varanasi constituency. The prime minister was accompanied by several top BJP and NDA leaders during his nomination filing, in what was a showcase of allies power. Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U president Nitish Kumar, SAD patron Prakash Singh Badal, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam, were among the NDA partners present as Modi filed his papers.

BJP leaders, including party president Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and senior Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Sushma Swaraj, were also present on the occasion. Before reaching the Varanasi Collectorate to file his nomination, Modi offered prayers at famous Kaal Bhairav Temple.

The prime minister, who reached in Varanasi on Thursday and brought life to a standstill as he held a seven kilometre roadshow through the town, also addressed party workers in the morning. The country, he said, is witnessing a pro-incumbency wave for the first time. He noted that the mood is festive from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and said party workers are the real candidates.

The prime minister said he had worked honestly for good governance and the people had made up their minds that they want another Modi government. "During yesterday’s roadshow here, I have sensed the hard work of party cadre,” he said amid chants of “Modi Modi”.

Modi, who also participated in the “Ganga aarti” at the Dashashwamedh ghat, addressed a late night meeting here on Thursday. While the last five years were about his government making sincere efforts, the next five will be about results, he said.

Modi also laid stress on national security and said a new India gives a befitting reply to terror. In 2014, Modi won the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, defeating Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal by a massive margin of 3.37 lakh vote.

Modi polled 5,16,593 votes—about half the total votes—while Congress’ Ajay Rai finished third. Rai is the Congress candidate again this time from the constituency that goes to the polls on May 19.

(With inputs from PTI)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Modi is seeking second term from Varanasi.
• Top BJP and NDA leaders were with Modi as he filed his nomination.
• A watchman became the proposer of Modi during his nomination.