Seeking a third consecutive term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, accompanied by National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders, Chief Ministers of various NDA-ruled States, and Union Ministers, filed his nomination papers to contest the Lok Sabha election from Varanasi.
Among the four proposers of Mr. Modi’s nomination were Pandit Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, who decided the muhurat or auspicious time for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and also the ground-breaking ceremony for the temple. Baijnath Patel, a long-time RSS functionary, and Lalchand Kushwaha and Sanjay Sonkar, both associated with the BJP, were the other proposers.
The social composition of the group of four proposers is interesting in that it comprises a Brahmin (Mr. Shastri), a Kurmi (Mr. Patel), a Kushwaha, and a member of a Scheduled Caste community (Mr. Sonkar).
Mr. Modi’s challengers for the seat include Uttar Pradesh Congress Chief Ajay Rai, and BSP’s Ather Jamal Lari. Comedian Shyam Rangeela, known for his mimicry of various Indian politicians including Mr. Modi, is also contesting as an independent candidate.
The Prime Minister started his day by offering prayers at the Dashaswamedha Ghat and the Kaal Bhairav temple in the city. Offering prayers at the Kaal Bhairav temple is widely believed to be mandatory for anyone wishing to prosper in Varanasi.
Following the temple visit, he proceeded to the Varanasi Collectorate to file his nomination papers, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and two of the four proposers of his nomination accompanying him inside the Collector’s office.
While Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was absent from the event citing ill health, BJP president J.P. Nadda, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Hardeep Singh Puri, Anupriya Patel and Ramdas Athawale were present, as were Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad Sangma, Nationalist Congress Party leader Praful Patel, Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu, Pattali Makkal Katchi leader Anbumani Ramadoss, and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan.
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