PM Modi files nomination from Varanasi in allies' presence
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination papers from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat in the presence of top BJP leaders and allies. To recall, in 2014, PM Modi swept Varanasi and got more than 5 lakh votes. Since the Opposition hasn't fielded strong candidates, it won't be a hyperbole to conclude that Varanasi would witness a walkover by PM Modi.
NDA's show of strength at PM Modi's nomination
PM Modi wasn't alone when he headed towards District Magistrate's office to file his nomination. Top BJP leaders including BJP President Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj accompanied him. Allies like Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Ram Vilas Paswan, Tamil Nadu Deputy CM O Panneerselvam, Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray, SAD patriarch Parkash Singh Badal were also seen.
Here are a few images
Before nomination, PM Modi spoke to workers
Before filing his nomination from Varanasi, PM Modi addressed BJP workers at the famous Kal Bhairav temple. In a bid to instil confidence among the workers, he said a pro-incumbency has swept the country, probably for the first time. "The media knows that the Varanasi election is over. Now we just have to break all voting records," PM Modi said.
Success of PM Modi's roadshow testified his popularity
As expected, BJP turned PM Modi's nomination into a grand event. On Thursday evening, he held a grand roadshow in his home constituency which the party claimed was attended by nearly six lakh people. He performed Ganga aarti at Dashaswamedh Ghat as well. After the roadshow, PM Modi told the energetic citizens of Varanasi that he would always protect the holy town's dignity.
Meanwhile, Congress placed bets on losing horse
Separately, Congress announced its Varanasi candidate yesterday, on the day of PM Modi's roadshow. The grand old party fielded Ajay Rai, who was defeated in 2014 as well, from the important constituency. The announcement came as a disappointment for cadres, because for weeks Congress flirted with the idea of fielding Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from there. Further, SP-BSP-RLD alliance gave the ticket to Shalini Yadav.
