NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially filed his nomination papers to contest the ongoing Lok Sabha elections from the Varanasi constituency, marking his bid for a third term as the Member of Parliament (MP) from this seat. The nomination filing event, held on May 14, witnessed the presence of several prominent leaders, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and a total of 12 Chief Ministers from various states.
Accompanied by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and four proposers representing diverse communities,PM Modi officially entered the electoral competition amid a significant gathering of supporters and political personalities. The proposers included Pandit Ganeshwar Shastri from the Brahmin community, Baijnath Patel and Lalchand Kushwaha from the OBC community, and Sanjay Sonkar from the Dalit community, showcasing a wide spectrum of support.
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Varanasi will witness its polling day on June 1, marking the culmination of the general elections. PM Modi faces opposition from candidates such as Congress’s Ajai Rai and Bahujan Samajwadi Party’s Athar Ali Lari. Notably, comedian Shyam Rangeela, famous for imitating PM Modi, has expressed interest in contesting but hasn’t formalised his nomination yet.
Prior to filing his papers, PM Modi visited Varanasi’s Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Kaal Bhairav Temple, underscoring his deep-rooted connection with the city. Varanasi has historically been a stronghold for the BJP, with PM Modi securing resounding victories in 2014 and 2019. His choice of auspicious timing for filing, between 11:40 am and 12 noon, aligning with Pushya Nakshatra and Ganga Saptami, holds symbolic significance.
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The nomination event witnessed a significant turnout of NDA leaders, Chief Ministers, and Union Ministers, highlighting the electoral significance of Varanasi. As the stage is set for yet another electoral battle in this politically charged constituency, all eyes are on the outcome of this high-stakes election