Modi holds roadshow in Varanasi, attends aarti before filing nomination
Varanasi, Apr 25 (IBNS): Amid loud cheer by crowds, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a grand roadshow in Varanasi, the temple town of Uttar Pradesh, from where he will contest for the second time in the 2019 general elections.
Clad in a saffron kurta and scarf, Modi waved at thousands of people from his sunroof SUV who gathered for his roadshow.
The PM began his journey from the iconic Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, where he paid tribute at a statue of Madan Mohan Malviya, the stalwart leader of the independence movement.
The roadshow traversed through paths that cut across ancient temples and ghats.
The seven-kilometre-long roadshow took two-and-a-half hours to complete in the holy ghat of Dashashwamedh.
At the end of the road show, Modi attended the evening aarti at Dashashwamedh ghat on the banks of the river Ganga.
On Friday, he will file his nomination papers from the Varanasi seat.
"Grateful for the warmth and affection," Modi said ahead of his roadshow.
Dear sisters and brothers of Kashi,
— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 25, 2019
If only words could do justice to the affection I have received from you all.
Your blessings give me unparalleled strength to do as much I can for the development of our county! pic.twitter.com/AoFSF0XN6H
No Priyanka Gandhi Vadra against Modi in Varanasi
Ending suspense, the Congress on Thursday announced its leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra won't contest from the Varanasi seat to take on the Prime Minister.
The grand old party has fielded Ajay Rai as its candidate from the constituency.
In 2014, Ajay Rai had fought from the same constituency and finished a poor third with only around 75,000 votes. Aam Aadmi Party's Arvind Kejriwal came second with around two lakh votes while Modi scored 5.8 lakh votes to win the seat.
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