PM Modi Files Nomination from Varanasi, Joined by UP CM Yogi Adityanath

PM Modi filed his nomination papers for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat on May 14, accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and four mandated proposers. Varanasi, a seat Modi has won twice, is set to go to polls in the final phase of the General Elections on June 1.

Modi, the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) candidate from Varanasi, won the seat in both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha Polls. His main opponents this time include Uttar Pradesh Congress Chief Ajai Rai and Bahujan Samajwadi Party’s (BSP) Athar Ali Lari. In the 2019 poll, Modi secured a victory margin of nearly 4.8 lakh votes, a significant increase from his 2014 winning margin of 3.72 lakhs.

Comedian Shyam Rangeela, known for mimicking PM Modi in his videos, has announced his intention to contest the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 against Modi from the Varanasi seat, although he has not filed his nomination yet.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi visited Varanasi’s iconic Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Kaal Bhairav Temple, expressing his deep connection with the city in a social media post.

The significance of Modi filing his nomination papers between 11.40 am and 12 noon is notable, as it coincided with Pushya Nakshatra and Ganga Saptami on May 14, marking an auspicious timing for the event.

PM Modi’s four proposers for his nomination included representatives from diverse communities, emphasizing the BJP’s inclusive approach. Alongside Yogi Adityanath, several other leaders from BJP and its allies were present at the nomination filing ceremony, underscoring the significance of Varanasi in the political landscape.