Top NDA leaders to rally behind as PM Modi files poll nomination from Varanasi today

Top brass of the NDA, including Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) president Nitish Kumar, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) founder Prakash Singh Badal and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan among others will rally behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he files his Lok Sabha election nomination from Varanasi on Friday.

“In this (nomination) program, Akali Dal’s senior leader and former chief minister (Punjab) Shri Parkash Singh Badal ji, Bihar chief minister and JDU chief Shri Nitish Kumar ji, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray ji, central minister and president of Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas Paswanji will be present,” the BJP said in a press release issued on Wednesday.

Besides the NDA allies, top BJP leaders including, party chief Amit Shah, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, among many others will also be present during PM’s nomination filing.

Earlier on Thursday, the prime minister held a road show in the temple town of Varanasi. During the road show, thousands of BJP supporters gathered along the route to have a glimpse of their leader. The roadshow, which started from the statue of Madan Mohan Malviya ended with a ‘Ganga Aarti’ at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Modi is seeking another term in the office after an impressive win in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Modi had contested 2014 Lok Sabha election from Varanasi and Vadodara in Gujarat. He, however, vacated the Vadodara seat as Varanasi was more crucial.