PM Modi Files His Nomination Papers From Varanasi (image-X/Rajeev_GoI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination papers from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh today, accompanied by state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Having won the Lok Sabha seat twice, in 2014 and 2019, PM Modi is seeking a third term. The Varanasi Lok Sabha seat will go to polls on June 1, the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
Along with the UP Chief Minister, while filing his nomination, PM Modi was accompanied by Pandit Ganeshwar Shastri, a member of the Brahmin community; Lalchand Kushwaha, an OBC member; Baijnath Patel, an RSS volunteer and OBC member; and Sanjay Sonkar, a member of the Dalit community.
Son of Kashi, PM @narendramodi ji, files his nomination for the upcoming #LokSabhaElections2024, marking his bid for his third term as the chosen representative of this revered city.#PhirEkBaarModiSarkar #PMModiNomination pic.twitter.com/QFl6U4b5Ro
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳(Modiyude Kutumbam) (@Rajeev_GoI) May 14, 2024
Prior to filing his nomination, PM Modi offered his prayers and performed aarti at Dashwamedh Ghat. From there, taking a cruise ride to the Namo Ghat, the sitting MP visited the Kaal Bhairav temple to offer his prayers.
On Monday, he held a 6-kilometre roadshow accompanied by Yogi Adityanath. Sharing photos from the campaign, PM Modi wrote in an X post, “Salute and salutation to the god-like people of the city of Baba Vishwanath! Today, every pore of my body is saluting every particle of Kashi. The affection and blessings, I have received from all of you in the road show are unimaginable and incomparable. I am overwhelmed and emotional! I did not even realise how 10 years passed under the shade of your affection. Then I had said that Maa Ganga has called me. Today Maa Ganga has adopted me.”
बाबा विश्वनाथ की नगरी की देवतुल्य जनता-जनार्दन का नमन और वंदन!
आज मेरा रोम-रोम काशी के कण-कण का अभिनंदन कर रहा है। रोड शो में आप सबसे जो अपनत्व और आशीर्वाद मिला है, वो अकल्पनीय और अतुलनीय है। मैं अभिभूत और भावविभोर हूं! आपके स्नेह की छांव में 10 वर्ष कैसे बीत गए, पता ही नहीं… pic.twitter.com/FrzzjtlDNG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 13, 2024
He further added that the city of Varanasi has been a “victim of neglect” during the rule of Congress-INDIA alliance. “I have to do a lot more in the third term of the NDA government for this parliamentary constituency that resides in my heart,” he stated in an X post.
In the 2014 elections, the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency witnessed a high-profile clash between the BJP candidate and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. With a substantial margin of over 3 lakh votes, the Lok Sabha seat became a bastion for the BJP, which was further solidified with PM Modi’s 2019 win.
This time, against PM Modi, stand Congress candidate Ajay Rai for the third time. BSP candidate Athar Ali Lari is also standing for the elections from Varanasi.
Meanwhile, comedian Shyam Rangeela claimed that, despite having all the necessary documents, he was denied nominations on Monday. Known for his videos mimicking PM Modi, the comedian claimed that he is unable to file his nominations today as well.
