VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking a re-election in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, filed his nomination papers from Varanasi seat in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday (May 14).
This marked the third time when he is contesting from the constituency after winning convincingly in 2014 and 2019. Voting on the seat will be held in the last phase of the general elections on June 1.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were present for PM Modi’s nomination filing, accompanied by the Chief Ministers of over 10 NDA-ruled states, in a major show of strength.
The Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency witnessed a historic clash in 2014 when Mr Modi, then BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, contested against AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Mr Modi’s resounding victory, with a margin exceeding 3 lakh votes, solidified Varanasi’s position as a BJP stronghold, a legacy he aims to extend in the upcoming elections.
Varanasi, comprising five assembly seats, has been a battleground where the BJP and the Congress have locked horns over the years. Since 1957, while the BJP has enjoyed significant success since 1991, winning the seat seven times, the Congress has also wielded influence, securing victory six times. The Varanasi seat has never been won by the Samajwadi Party or the Bahujan Samaj Party.
PM Modi’s resounding victory in 2014, followed by an even more emphatic win in 2019, solidified Varanasi’s status as a BJP stronghold.
The demographics of Varanasi read 75 per cent Hindus, 20 per cent Muslims and 5 per cent other religions. Around 10 per cent belong to Scheduled Tribes, while Scheduled Castes constitute 0.7 per cent of the total residents. Its urban population comprises 65 per cent, with the remaining 35 per cent residing in rural areas.
“During the period of the Congress and INDI alliance, this city of spirituality and faith was always neglected, but we are working day and night with the resolution of building a divine and grand Kashi,” PM Modi wrote on X.
“I have to do a lot more in the third term of the NDA government for this parliamentary constituency that resides in my heart,” he added. “As a servant of the people, it has always been my endeavour to make the lives of the people of Kashi easier. I am confident that a developed Varanasi will make an invaluable contribution to fulfilling the resolution of a developed India along with a developed Uttar Pradesh.
“With the blessings of Baba Vishwanath, I will always remain dedicated to the service of his Kashi. Jai Baba Vishwanath!.”
Varanasi will go to polls in the seventh and last phase of the elections on June 1 and will see a contest between PM Modi and Congress candidate Ajay Rai who will be facing the Prime Minister for a third time for the seat.
