Accompanied by Top NDA Leaders, Modi Files Nomination for Varanasi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will file his nomination papers for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat on Friday.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination papers for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat on Friday, 26 April, accompanied by a galaxy of top BJP and NDA leaders in a massive show of strength for the country's ruling alliance.
"Some people are creating an atmosphere that Modi ji has already won (the election) and it is fine not to vote. Please don't fall into their trap. Voting is your right and everyone must exercise it," Modi said after filing his papers.
The prime minister, who reached in Varanasi on Thursday and brought life to a standstill as he held a seven-kilometre roadshow through the town, also addressed party workers in the morning.
On being asked about terror-accused Pragya Thakur contesting on a BJP ticket, in an interview with India Today in Varanasi, PM Modi said that the allegations against her were a result of the lies being spread by Congress.
Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U chief Nitish Kumar, Union minister and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackarey and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) patron Parkash Singh Badal were with Modi at the Collectorate as Modi filed his papers, seeking a second term in the Lok Sabha from the constituency.
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.
- While the last five years were about his government making sincere efforts, the next five will be about results, Modi said
- The four people who proposed his name were carefully chosen, each from a different caste – Shukla is a Brahmin, Chowdhary a Dalit, Patel an OBC (other backward classes) and Gupta a Baniya.
- Modi, who also participated in the “Ganga aarti” at the Dashashwamedh ghat, addressed a late night meeting in Varanasi on Thursday, 25 April too
- In 2014, Modi won the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, defeating Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal by a massive margin of 3.37 lakh vote
- Rai is the Congress candidate again this time from the constituency that goes to the polls on 19 May.
PM Modi to Hold Mega Road Show Ahead of Filing Nomination From Varanasi
A day before filing his nomination, the PM will hold a "major roadshow" in Varanasi that will start from the Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya's statue and end at Dashashwamedh Ghat, according to a party press release issued on Wednesday.
"After the roadshow, the Prime Minister will participate in the Ganga Arti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. After that, at 8 pm, he will have a conversation with eminent personalities of Varanasi at Hotel De Paris," the BJP said.
PM Modi to File Nomination from Varanasi on 26 April
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will file his nomination papers for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat on Friday, 26 April, 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 will also be in attendance when the PM files his nominations at 11:30 am on Friday, the BJP said.
On Friday, the PM would be addressing booth heads and party workers at 9:30 am.
"After this program, around 11 am, the PM will go and worship the city god Kal Bhairav. At 11.30 am, PM will file his nomination for Varanasi Lok Sabha seat," said the release.
"In this (nomination) program, Akali Dal's senior leader and former chief minister (Punjab) Shri Parkash Singh Badal ji, Bihar chief minister and JDU chief Shri Nitish Kumar ji, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray ji, central minister and president of Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas Paswanji will be present," the press release said.
BJP’s press release added that leaders of AIADMK, Apna Dal and North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) will also be present.
Modi to Start Roadshow by Garlanding Statue of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya
Modi, who will file his nomination papers for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat on Friday, is expected to start his Varanasi roadshow by first garlanding the statue of Banaras Hindu University founder Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya.
Top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including Union ministers Sushma Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman, as well as BJP president Amit Shah and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states are expected to accompany him, reported PTI.
Modi's Varanasi Roadshow To Begin Shortly
After concluding his rallies in Darbhanga and Banda, Prime Minister Modi tweeted, “After bumper rallies in Darbhanga and Banda, I am heading to beloved Kashi.”
People Flood Streets in Varanasi Ahead of PM's Roadshow
PM Modi Pays Tribute to Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his roadshow in Varanasi by paying tribute to Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya, outside Banaras Hindu University.
PM Modi's Roadshow Begins
After paying tribute to Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya, PM Modi began his roadshow amid the chants of “Modi! Modi!”
Grateful For the Warmth, Tweets PM Modi
Varanasi has come out on streets to attend the prime minister’s roadshow.
Amit Shah, Yogi Also Present at Modi's Roadshow
BJP President Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are among the party leaders who are accompanying PM Modi at the roadshow.
Glimpses of Modi's Roadshow
Modi to Arrive at Dashashwamedh Ghat Shortly
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrive at Dashashwamedh Ghat shortly.
PM Modi Arrives at Dashashwamedh Ghat
After concluding the mega roadshow, PM Narendra Modi will perform evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
PM Modi Performs Ganga Aarti
After concluding the roadshow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
PM Offers Prayers at Dashashwamedh Ghat
PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi
Modi Performs Aarti
Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
Only One Mantra - India First: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public rally, where he said, “No matter what happens, I will not care about any benefits other than nation's benefit. I only have one mantra and I have lived by that one mantra throughout my life - Nation First, India First.”
No Terrorist attacks on Temples in Past 5 Years: Modi
PM Modi said, “Kashi has not only made me an MP, it blessed me to become the prime minister. Trust of 1.3 crore Indians' belief has given me strength.”
“In the past five years, no city, no temple has come under the terror atack. Terrorism is now limited in a small region in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
'Last 5 Years Were Beginning of Development, Next 5 Will Be of Prestige'
“Past five years have been an effort of honesty and the coming five years are going to extend those efforts. The past five years were a beginning of development, next five years will be of prestige.”PM Narendra Modi
The prime minister said that the terrorists killed 40 Indian soldiers in Pulwama, "and in that same area, we eliminated 42 terrorists". "This is the way we work," he added.
PM Modi Seeks 'Blessings', Talks National Security in Varanasi
After the mega roadshow, PM Narendra Modi tweeted, “To serve Kashi is an honour.”. He added, “Together, we have been able to achieve a lot, especially futuristic infrastructure, more cleanliness and greater ‘Ease of Living.’ I seek Kashi’s blessings for another term so that we can continue working for this blessed city.”
Amit Shah, Other NDA Leaders Hold Meeting in Varanasi
BJP President Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh held a meeting of NDA leaders in Varanasi on Friday morning. Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister O. Panneerselvam are also in attendance at the meeting.
PM Modi Addresses Gathering of Party Workers in Varanasi
PM Modi is addressing party workers and booth leaders at a gathering in Varanasi, ahead of filing his nomination.
PM Modi Thanks Party Workers
Addressing BJP party workers in Varanasi, PM Modi thanked them, saying, “My Kashi workers sweated out and worked very hard to invite people for the show.” He added that it was because of their hard work that there was a wave of enthusiasm in the country.
He also said that he had once been a booth worker and had the privilege of putting up posters on walls.
First Time There is Pro-Incumbency Wave in Country: PM Modi
PM Modi said that in the many elections that have been held in India, this is the first time a pro-incumbency wave is visible after Independence.
Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot: PM Modi
Modi said that his main aim was not to win the election but to win his booth because he would not enjoy winning the election if his workers lost at a polling booth. “Now, the only mantra should be that my booth is the strongest,” he said.
He also praised his workers for working and coming out to vote even in the heat at 40 degrees.
Want Women's Turnout to Be 5% Higher Than That of Men: Modi
“I have a wish which I could not complete in Gujarat. Can I have it fulfilled in Benaras? I want women's turnout to be 5 percent higher than that of the men,” Modi said.
Want Victory of Democracy: PM Modi
“It is not important whether Modi wins with the most votes or not. That record does not matter... I am more interested in the victory of democracy,” Modi said.
Make Political Pundits Want to Write Books on Varanasi Election
“The Varanasi election should be such that the country’s political pundits will want to write a book on it,” Modi said.
PM Modi Offers Prayers at Varanasi Temple
Ahead of filing his nomination, PM Modi reached the Kaal Bhairav Temple in Varanasi to offer his prayers .
PM Modi on His Way to File Nomination
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at Kaal Bhairav Temple in Varanasi and has now left for the Collectorate office to file his nomination.
Top Leaders Present to Accompany Modi at Nomination
Top NDA leaders including Rajnath Singh, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Ram Vilas Paswan, Tamil Nadu Deputy CM O Panneerselvam and others have reached the nomination-filing centre in Varanasi ahead of PM Modi's arrival. Uddhav Thackeray is also present.
NDA Leaders Present Together Ahead of PM's Arrival
Piyush Goyal, Ram Vilas Paswan, Chetan Chauhan are also present. Sushma Swaraj has also arrived at the location. Yogi Adityanath is present at the location to receive PM Modi.
PM Modi Arrives at Collectorate Office
PM Modi has arrived at the Collectorate office to file his nomination.
PM Modi Greets NDA Leaders
The prime minister greeted NDA leaders and BJP leaders present at the DM’s office.
PM Modi Files Nomination from Varanasi Lok Sabha Seat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections 2019 and will be fighting the polls from the Varanasi Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency.
PM Modi's Papers Being Scrutinised
Narendra Modi has filed his nomination and his papers are being scrutinised at the moment. He is accompanied by the four people who proposed his name for nomination.
PM Modi Signs Documents, Completes Filing of Nomination
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and now candidate from Varanasi for the second time has signed the documents, completing his nomination. He also expressed his gratitude to his proposers.
PM Modi Leaves Collectorate Office
Having completed his nomination, PM Modi has left the Collectorate office.
Come and Vote in Large Numbers: PM Modi
Speaking to the press after filing his nomination, PM Modi asked the people of Varanasi to come and vote in large numbers.
“Some people began to create an atmosphere that Modi had won, so he would not even vote. I would like to ask the voters not to believe such things. Voting is your right and so must vote,” Modi said.
He also took the opportunity to express his gratitude towards the people of Kashi. “They have again blessed me after five years. Such a grand roadshow yesterday was possible only in Kashi,” he said.
Difference Between Modi, Rahul Like That Between Elephant and Insect: Parkash Singh Badal
Speaking to the press after accompanying PM Modi to file his nomination in Varanasi, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal said, “The people of Hindustan need to think about who they want as their Prime Minister. Who can stand in the battle against Modi? Gandhi is there, but the difference between him and Modi is like that between an elephant and an insect.”
BJP-PDP Alliance Was 'Mahamilawat': PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an interview to India Today, said that the BJP’s alliance with the PDP was a ‘mahamilavat’ akin to mixing oil and water.
“But, as soon as an opportunity presented itself, we went back to following the Atal (Bihari Vajpayee) formula. A few families in Kashmir have always indulged in double-speak... they say one thing in Kashmir and another in Delhi. They have been blackmailing J&K for a long time,”PM Modi said.
Cong Spreading Lies About 'Hindu Symbol' Pragya Thakur: PM Modi
On being asked about terror-accused Pragya Thakur contesting on a BJP ticket, in an interview with India Today in Varanasi, PM Modi said that the allegations against her were a result of the lies being spread by Congress.
“Similar lies were spread about me also on social media. So much so, that US had denied a Visa to me. But, eventually the truth came out and US invited me. The same kind of lies are being propagated by Congress against Thakur,” Modi said. He also said that Thakur was a symbol for Hindus.
“The same modus operandi was used by Congress to spread lies about demonetisation, EVM hacking etc,” he added.
Pakistan Under a Lot of Pressure After Balakot: PM Modi in Varanasi
PM Modi, in an interview to a news channel in Varanasi, said that his actions against Pakistan has created immense pressure on the country’s machinery.
“Surgical strike and Balakot has created public pressure within Pakistan about giving safe haven to terrorists,” he said.
Article 35A, 370 Biggest Deterrents in Kashmir: PM Modi
PM Modi said that his party will stand by its decision to abrogate Article 35A and 370 in Kashmir, as stated in its manifesto.
“People expressing anti-India statements in Kashmir don’t deserve to live in the country,” he said, in an interview with India Today.
Unemployment Issue is Congress' Propaganda: PM Modi
Dismissing claims of rising unemployment numbers, PM Modi said in an interview that job generation is at an all time high.
“This is the Congress party’s propaganda. As per many metrics, like NASSCOM, suggest that employment has increased in India,” he said.
Demonetisation Not an Election Plank, It Was a Major Reform: PM Modi
“I did not do demonetisation keeping the elections in mind. But the Opposition lost UP election badly, fighting it on the demonetisation plank,” Modi said, in an interview.
On being asked if demonetisation was a success, Modi said that the note ban had helped curb black money, lower inflation, expand the tax base and boost the economy.
On reports of demonetisation impacting jobs, the prime minister said that there are no statistics to suggest the same.
'If You Find Modi Involved in Corruption, Raid His House': PM Modi
On the recent spate of I-T raids at offices and residences of Opposition leaders, PM Modi said in the India Today interview that “those who do wrong will be caught... be it a BJP man or Congress.”
“If you ever find out that Modi has been involved in corruption, then raid his house. I honour the institutions of the country,” PM Modi said.
“I sat for a nine-hour interrogation when SIT was formed to investigate the Gujarat riots... it is only because I respect institutions,” he added.