Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination papers from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday. Seeking a third consecutive term from the constituency, PM Modi is aiming for victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Accompanied by a fervent display of support from party leaders and enthusiastic crowds, PM Modi arrived at the district magistrate’s office in Varanasi to formalize his nomination. The historic city of Varanasi is set to go to polls in the seventh and final phase of the elections on June 1, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4.
Clad in a traditional full-sleeved white Kurta, white churidar, and a blue jacket, PM Modi exuded confidence as he completed the nomination process. He was warmly received by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath outside the Kal Bhairav temple, where supporters showered flower petals and chanted slogans of ‘Modi, Modi’ and ‘Har Har Mahadev.’
Before filing his nomination, PM Modi offered prayers at the revered Dashashwamedh Ghat on the banks of the Ganges, symbolizing the spiritual significance of Varanasi. Subsequently, he embarked on a cruise to the Namo Ghat, where he continued his spiritual journey with prayers at the Kaal Bhairav Temple.
During his visit, PM Modi also participated in the Ganga Aarti ceremony, offering prayers to the sacred River Ganga on the auspicious occasion of Ganga Saptami.
The nomination event witnessed a formidable presence of leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President JP Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Additionally, prominent leaders from across the political spectrum, such as Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma, graced the occasion.
The Varanasi Lok Sabha seat holds significant importance as a stronghold of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and PM Modi. This electoral battle is anticipated to be fiercely contested, with PM Modi facing Congress candidate Ajay Rai, the joint nominee of the Opposition INDIA bloc.
Ajay Rai, the Uttar Pradesh Congress chief, has previously contested against PM Modi in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls, albeit finishing third on both occasions. The upcoming election marks the third time Rai will face PM Modi in a Lok Sabha contest.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, PM Modi secured a resounding victory in Varanasi with over 6,74,664 votes and a commanding vote share of 63.6%. Similarly, in 2014, PM Modi clinched victory with a staggering margin exceeding 3 lakh votes.
The Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, comprising five Assembly segments, is poised to witness an intense electoral battle as PM Modi vies for a historic third term, reaffirming his commitment to the constituents and the nation at large.
