Narendra Modi takes Varanasi by storm, files nomination, invokes `Maa Ganga`

Bharatiya Janata Party`s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi filed his nomination from Varanasi.

Zee Media Bureau/Kamna Arora

  • The Congress has complained to the Election Commission against Modi`s roadshow in Varanasi, which coincided with the sixth round of voting for the General Elections. Saying that the telecast of Modi`s roadshow in constituencies going to polls today violated model code, the Congress demanded registration of FIR.

    Addressing a press conference, Union Minister Anand Sharma said: "117 seats are going to polls but the sanctity of these polls have been violated."

  • Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi congratulated party`s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on filing his nomination in Varanasi and claimed his victory was certain in the temple town.
  • Taking a potshot at Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, who is ahead of Modi in Time Magazine 100 readers` poll, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted:
  • After filing his nomination, Modi, on microblogging website Twitter, thanked policemen and security forces for securing elaborate arrangements.
  • Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, who accompanied Modi during his road show, said that he has never seen such a turnout. "Entire Kashi was there and none in the crowd was hired or paid," added Prasad.
  • Narendra Modi`s close aide Amit Shah said: "Modi wave has now turned into a tsunami...will overwhelm Samajwadi Party, BSP and Congress."

    Also Read: Modi wave has transformed into tsunami: Amit Shah

  • The process of filing nomination is over. Modi is seen leaving the office of the District Magistrate`s office.
  • The statue of Banaras Hindu University founder Madan Mohan Malviya, which was garlanded by Modi earlier in the day, has been cleansed with Gangaajal by Samajwadi Party workers.

    Also Read: SP workers wash statue of Madan Mohan Malaviya with `Gangajal` after Modi pays tribute

  • Narendra Modi takes oath, files nomination for the mega electoral battle in the holy city. Among those who proposed his nomination were Madan Mohan Malaviya`s grandson Giridhar Malaviya, Padma Vibhushan awardee Chhandu Lal Mishra, boatman Virbhadra Nishad and Ashok, from the dominant weaver community.

    Also Read: Modi files nomination from Varanasi

  • After waiting for almost 23 minutes, Modi enters into the office of the district collectorate to file his nomination.
  • I am overwhelmed by the response I received from the residents of Varanasi, says Modi. The Gujarat CM added: "...Earlier I used to think that the BJP has sent me here, sometimes I felt that I am going to Kashi. But after coming here, I feel neither has anybody sent me nor have I come on my own. It is Mother Ganges who has called me."

    "And the way a child feels when he is back in his mother`s lap, the same way I feel here," said the Gujarat Chief Minister who is also contesting from Vadodara in his home state.

    Paying tributes to the Hindu holy city`s secular ethos, Modi said he wanted to see Varanasi become an internationally known spiritual capital. He pointed out how he had helped Gujarat`s Muslim kite makers to improve their lot and said he would do the same for the Muslim weavers of Varanasi with modern technology, branding, designing and marketing.

    He also pledged to clean up the Ganges, as he had done with the Sabarmati river in Gujarat.

    Also Read: Modi promises to help Varanasi`s Muslim weavers

  • Narendra Modi addresses media.
  • Some candidates are inside the office of the district collectorate to file their nomination, forcing Modi to wait outside.
  • Modi is waiting outside the district collectorate`s office to file his nomination. Padma Bhushan Pandit Channulal Mishra, Justice (retired) Giridhar Malaviya - among those who endorsed Modi`s nomination from Varanasi - are accompanying the BJP`s prime ministerial candidate.
  • Narendra Modi, surrounded with huge security, also walked in at the office to file his nomination.
  • Amit Shah and Ravi Shankar Prasad walk towards the office of district collectorate.
  • Former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa wished Narendra Modi the very best as the latter reached collector`s office to file his nomination. Turning to microblogging website Twitter, Yeddyurappa said:
  • Before filing his nomination, Modi will garland the statue of BR Ambedkar.
  • Modi has now shifted from open truck to his bulletproof car.
  • From Mint road, Modi`s next destination is the office of district collectorate where he will file his nomination for the mega electoral battle.
  • Modi`s scheduled speech at Mint Road has been cancelled due to time constraint. He has to file his nomination before 3 pm today.
  • Modi garlands the statue of Swami Vivekananda.
  • Narendra Modi arrives at Mint Road, Varanasi.
  • On microblogging website Twitter, Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha likened Modi`s roadshow with a Bollywood film.
  • Narendra Modi is accompanied by Amit Shah, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Laxmikant Bajpai in his road show in Varanasi. Stringent security arrangements are in place.
  • Narendra Modi begins his roadshow.
  • Narendra Modi is garlanding a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
  • The BJP`s prime ministerial candidate reaches Kashi Vidyapeeth.
  • Large number of people could be seen on rooftops and balconies of all buildings along Modi`s route.
  • Modi set to begin his roadshow ahead of filing nomination.
  • Narendra Modi pays respect at a statue of Madan Mohan Malaviya at the Banaras Hindu University amidst huge enthusiastic crowd. At BHU, he was welcomed by thousands of people as sound of conch shells reverberated the air.
  • Tens of thousands have gathered in Varanasi to join a roadshow that will culminate in BJP`s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi filing his nomination for the Lok Sabha election.
  • The crowd massed outside the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) where Modi is scheduled to garland a statue of its founder, Madan Mohan Malaviya, at the start of the show of strength. His supporters kept raising slogans praising Modi. "Modiji is our future, and the entire BHU is with him," said an undergraduate student of the university wearing a Modi mask -- like many others.

    Most people in the overwhelmingly male gathering wore identical saffron caps.

    WATCH LIVE: MODI IN VARANASI

    Narendra Modi`s mega roadshow in Varanasi: In Pics

  • Narendra Modi has arrived in Varanasi to file nomination for the mega battle.
  • The BJP has made hectic preparations for the day when Modi will undertake a "grand road show" before filing his papers for the mega battle in this holy city where he is challenged by Congress leader Ajay Rai, Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal and others.

    Several hundred kg of rose petals and other flowers have been ordered, party leaders said.

  • Ahead of filing nomination, Modi, on microblogging website twitter, sought blessings and expressed gratitude for party workers.
  • Modi will spend over four hours in Varanasi, a BJP leader said.
  • A list of 10 proposers of Modi has been sent to his office, the party leader said, adding Modi would be clearing the name of four people.
  • Another function has been organised where the Gujarat Chief Minister will be offered blessings by over 100 priests.
  • Modi will arrive at Lal Bahadur Shastri airport this morning from where he will go to Benaras Hindu University campus by helicopter to pay tribute to Pandit Madan Mohan Malvya at his statue in the Lanka crossing.

    Then he will go to Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, one of the premier educational institutions here, where he will garland the statute of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and start his road show.

    Modi will also pay tribute to Vivekanada and Ambedkar at their statues in the Cantonment area and Collectorate Square respectively.

  • Several hundred kg of rose petals and other flowers have been ordered for use during the roadshow.
  • According to an estimate by Modi`s campaign managers, lakhs of people are expected to participate in the two-km-long road show from Nadesar to Kacheri locality in the heart of the city during which a number of leading local organisations will greet him. Elaborate plans have been made for security of the BJP leader.

    Though invited all sections of people to the road show, the party has specifically requested the citizens from Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, residing here, to come in their traditional attire.

  • The Gujarat Chief Minister will be flying in to Varanasi on Thursday morning and would attend a string of events, including garlanding of statues of Banaras Hindu University founder Madan Mohan Malviya, BR Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Swami Vivekanand. He would then hold a roadshow ahead of filing his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha election at the district collectorate.
  • Zee News App: Read latest news of India and world, bollywood news, business updates, cricket scores, etc. Download the Zee news app now to keep up with daily breaking news and live news event coverage.