Modi files nomination paper seeking third victory in Varanasi

VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is aiming for a third victory in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, submitted his nomination papers on Tuesday. Apart from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BJP National President JP Nadda, 25 NDA party leaders also participated in the paper submission ceremony. On June 1, Varanasi will host polling as part of the seventh and last round of voting.

Ahead of filing the nomination papers, Modi offered prayers at Dashashwamedh Ghat and Kalabhairava Temple on the banks of the Ganges at 9 am. The Prime Minister also offered an aarti on the river's banks since it was Ganga Saptami. Around 11.45 p.m., Modi arrived at the Varanasi District Magistrate's office wearing a full-sleeved white kurta and a blue jacket.

Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, Lalchand Kushwaha, BJP district unit general secretary and Dalit leader Sanjay Sonkar, Baijnath Patel from Sevapuri and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accompanied the Prime Minister.

Apart from Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Hardeep Singh Puri, leaders such as Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, TDP President Chandrababu Naidu, Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan, Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar Wing) leader Praful Patel, Jana Sena Party President Pawan Kalyan and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President Dr Anpumani Ramdas also attended the function.