Prime Minister Modi Files Nomination For Lok Sabha Elections From Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (14 May) filed his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi parliamentary constituency.

PM Modi arrived at the DM office in Varanasi at around 11.40 am to file his nomination papers. He was accompanied by top BJP leaders including UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Varanasi will vote in the seventh and final phase of the elections on 1 June, where PM Modi will contest against Congress candidate Ajay Rai for the third time.

Ahead of the nomination filing, PM Modi visited Dasaswamedh Ghat to offer prayers to Maa Ganga, which was followed by a visit to the Kaal Bhairav Temple.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister posted a video in which he said his relationship with Kashi could not be described in words.

“This relationship is not just that of a people’s representative. It is a spiritual one and I cannot describe it in words,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi is also slated to speak at the Rudraksh Convention Centre at 12.10 pm before leaving Varanasi at 1.00 pm.

Earlier on Monday (13 May), PM Modi held a 6-km mega roadshow in Varanasi, after which he performed darshan and pooja at Kashi Vishwanath temple.

In 2014, the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency witnessed a significant contest when PM Modi, as BJP's prime ministerial candidate, faced AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Modi's victory by over 3 lakh votes reinforced Varanasi as a BJP bastion, a legacy he seeks to continue in the upcoming elections.

Since 1991, the BJP has won the Varanasi constituency, with its five assembly seats, seven times.

Varanasi's demographics include 75 per cent Hindus, 20 per cent Muslims, and 5 per cent from other religions. About 10 per cent of the population belongs to Scheduled Tribes, and Scheduled Castes make up 0.7 per cent.

The urban population stands at 65 per cent, with 35 per cent residing in rural areas.

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