Highlights: PM Narendra Modi files nomination from Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination papers for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat today, a day after he held a mega roadshow and performed the Ganga Aarti. PM filed his nomination papers accompanied by top BJP and NDA leaders in a massive show of strength for the country's ruling alliance. Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U chief Nitish Kumar, Union minister and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray and Shiromani Akali Dal patron Parkash Singh Badal were with him at the Collectorate as Modi filed his papers, seeking a second term in the Lok Sabha from the temple town. BJP leaders, including party president Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and senior Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Sushma Swaraj, were also present on the occasion.

Background

VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination papers for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat today, a day after he held a mega roadshow and performed the Ganga aarti on Thursday.  While addressing a gathering in the temple town, Modi on Thursday sought assurance from the people of Varanasi to win the election for him. "I would leave after filing nominations tomorrow and would then come back to thank you after I win."On Thursday, before reaching Varanasi, Modi had tweeted: "After bumper rallies in Darbhanga and Banda, I am heading to beloved Kashi.""There are a series of programmes lined up, which would give me another excellent opportunity to interact with my sisters and brothers of Kashi. Har Har Mahadev!" he had tweeted.Modi filed papers in the presence of senior NDA leaders including JDU president Nitish Kumar and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. Shiromani Akali Dal's Parkash Singh Badal and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan were also present when the PM filed his nominations on Friday.Earlier today, PM Modi also addressed booth heads and party workers at 9.30 am. Modi is re-contesting from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh. Modi won the seat in 2014 by defeating Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Ajay Rai of the Congress. Varanasi goes to the polls on May 19 in the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

26/04/2019 12:41:06

After filing nomination, PM Narendra Modi says: I deeply express gratitude towards people of Kashi. They have again blessed me after 5 years. Such a grand roadshow yesterday was possible only in Kashi.

26/04/2019 12:23:53

PM Modi leaves the Collectorate Office after filing his nomination.

26/04/2019 12:02:14

PM Modi leaves the Collectorate Office after filing his nomination.

26/04/2019 11:51:33

PM was accompanied by BJP chief Amit Shah, Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj and other major NDA leaders, including Nitish Kumar and Uddhav Thackeray at the Collectorate office.

26/04/2019 11:46:40

PM Narendra Modi files nomination from Varanasi parliamentary constituency. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Modi, who contested from two seats -- Varanasi and Vadodara in Gujarat -- defeated Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from here. Congress's Rai had finished third.

26/04/2019 11:31:44

I thank our NDA family for joining us on this historic occasion.

Stronger NDA for a Better India. #DeshModiKeSaath https://t.co/HzhbKOgit5

26/04/2019 11:31:26

Had a great interaction with leaders of the NDA this morning.
Sharing few pictures of our meeting. https://t.co/yNbdaCJTlr

26/04/2019 11:24:39

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Collectorate office to file his nomination from Varanasi parliamentary constituency, meets NDA leaders present there.

26/04/2019 11:16:20

Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere with the Election Commission on the biopic PM Narendra Modi. The poll panel told the court that movie should be released only after the Lok Sabha elections got over. The seven phased polls began on April 11, when the biopic was to release. The polls will get over on May 19 and the counting on votes in May 23. To secure level playing ground, the poll panel was asked to take a call.

26/04/2019 11:13:52

NDA leaders arrive at Collectorate Office in Varanasi ahead of PM Modi's nomination filing. #LokSabhaElections2019 https://t.co/OB0MJamc5E

26/04/2019 11:11:47

Lively interaction with my young friends! Look at what they’re singing. https://t.co/qdDlGIDosW

26/04/2019 11:09:56

BJP President Amit Shah, Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray, Janata Dal United's Nitish Kumar and Lok Janshakti Party's Ram Vilas Paswan, Nalin Kohli, Nitin Gadkari and other senior NDA leaders are present at the Collectorate office in Varanasi.

26/04/2019 11:02:41

Modi leaves for Collectorate office to file his nomination. During BJP booth level workers rally, prime minister had said that he has worked honestly for good governance and the people have made up their minds that they want Modi sarkar again.

26/04/2019 10:58:43

BJP President Amit Shah leaves for city's collectorate to attend Modi filing his nomination papers.

26/04/2019 10:56:32

Ahead of filing nominations, PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at Kaal Bhairav temple in Varanasi.

26/04/2019 10:47:01

For Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nomination, Jagdish Chaudhary (a member of the Dom Raja family), Subhash Gupta (BJP leader, Social worker), Ramashankar Patel (ICSR Scientist) and Nandita Shastri Chaturvedi (BJP worker) are among the four proposers that will be present in Varanasi.

26/04/2019 10:00:45

PM Modi said - Electing government is in hands of citizens, running it is our responsibility. Citizens across the nation are chanting - Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar. NDA will get 3/4th majority in the country.

26/04/2019 09:48:33

During the meet, PM Modi said - For the first time there is no anti-incumbency wave in the nation. I have been a grassroot worker myself. Have pasted posters on the wall.

26/04/2019 09:36:01

Soaring the political temperatures, Modi was joined by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Jagat Prakash Nadda and other senior BJP leaders on stage. He was speaking to booth level workers in UP’s Varanasi.

26/04/2019 09:32:44

More than me working for Kashi’s change, Kashi has changed me! Here is how... https://t.co/XTiZBMYb6P

26/04/2019 09:23:01

BJP President Amit Shah and NDA leaders met in Varanasi; Later today, PM Narendra Modi will file his nomination from Varanasi Parliamentary seat.

26/04/2019 09:20:30

BJP President Amit Shah at NDA leaders meet in Varanasi; Later today, PM Narendra Modi will file his nomination fro… https://t.co/pDr8Mtpzef

26/04/2019 09:12:24

Modi is on a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency where he will file his nomination in the presence of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders, including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

26/04/2019 09:09:05

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Modi, who contested from two seats -- Varanasi and Vadodara in Gujarat -- defeated Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from here. Congress's Rai had finished third.

26/04/2019 09:09:01

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen taking the a cruise on Assi Ghat before the nomination. A day before filing his nomination for the Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a mega roadshow here on Thursday, drawing massive crowds, before culminating the show of strength with the Ganga aarti at the Dashashwamedh ghat.