Live: Cheered by thousands, Modi files nomination

Varanasi: The Hindu holy city Thursday became a sea of saffron as BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi set out to file his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha election, backed by thousands of cheering supporters.A mass of Bharatiya Janata Party activists, many waving party flags and sporting saffron caps, as well as residents walked with Modi as his open vehicle crawled through the streets to the district magistrate's office.Modi, who is contesting the Lok Sabha election also from Vadodara in Gujarat, kept waving to the crowds amid roaring slogans hailing him. Roads were jammed and Modi admirers virtually took over the streets.Varanasi residents who spoke to IANS said they were confident of the Gujarat chief minister's victory from Varanasi."Modi is sure to win here. There is no scope for (AAP leader Arvind) Kejriwal," said a professor at the Banaras Hindu University from where the BJP veteran began his show of strength.The academic added that development was more important an issue for Varanasi's voters than corruption -- a pet theme of Kejriwal, the former Delhi chief minister.Praful Krishan, a BHU scholar, said he had no particular political leanings but would vote for Modi "as I don't see any other alternative and the Congress has ruined the country".Another Varanasi resident, Ram Mehta, was emphatic: "No one can challenge Modi. He is our future prime minister. And Varanasi will be proud to be represented in parliament by its prime minister."Basmati Devi, a woman in her 50s, said she had never seen such a large gathering in Varanasi.Looking his usual confident self, Modi flew into Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, Thursday -- a day after Kejriwal filed his nomination -- and made his way to BHU to garland its founder, Madan Mohan Malaviya.His arrival at the spot sent the crowd into a frenzy. There were resonating slogans of "Narendra Modi, Zindabad!". Modi greeted the party activists with a wave of hands.From there began the roadshow, with his confidant Amit Shah in company. No other nationally known BJP leader could be spotted.As Modi's vehicle inched its way to the district magistrate's office, people showered rose petals on him. Many were perched on the road dividers and many more watched the show from windows and roofs of homes on both sides of the roads."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.Modi's main opponents here are Kejriwal and Ajay Rai of the Congress.With around 1.6 million voters, Varanasi will go the polls May 12 -- the last round of the staggered general election.Here are the live updates of Narendra Modi filing nomination: 02:19 pm: Modi is scheduled to address some rallies today thus he leaves in haste02:18 pm: He heads towards his chopper from where he will depart from Varanasi02:16 pm: Modi leaves the collectorate02:04 pm: Modi has filed the nominations. His papers are being verified by the officers02:03 pm: Modi reads the pledge to fill the nomination with honesty and signs01:57 pm: As he awaits further instructions people in the office greet him and some even ask for his autograph. 01:56 pm: Modi enters the office of collectorate01:49 pm: Modi stops speaking01:47 pm: Modi: The village that I belong to is influenced Shiva. But according to the village history, Buddha had played a prominent role there. Today I'm back to the land where Buddha spent his life. Its my sincerest desire to work for the people of Kashi.01:46 pm: I am grateful to my party workers and the people of Kashi for bestowing immeasurable love on me. I don't think that I have just come here. Nor do I believe that I have been sent here. I believe Goddess Ganga has called me to Kashi. 01:46 pm: Modi starts speaking01: 41 pm: Modi is accompanied by four proposers Giridhar Malaviya, Padma Vibhushan Chhandu Lal Mishra, a noted classical singer of Varanasi and boatman, Virbhadra Nishad and Ashok 01: 35 pm: The massive crowd awaits outside the premises.01:35 pm: Modi has arrived at the collectorate to file nomination01:24 pm: Modi heads towards the collectorate where he will be filing his nomination01:15 pm: Modi garlands the sculpture of Swami Vivekanand 11:41 am: Modi gets back into his vehicle after garlanding the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel11:40 am: Modi was scheduled to file his nominations at 11:30 am but because of the dense crowd, he will be delayed11:39 am: Modi gets down from his vehicle to garland Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel11:36 am: Modi begins the roadshow11:18 am: Modi departs for Kashi Vidhya Peeth via BHU's helipad 11:15 am: Modi bows before the cheering crowd after garlanding Madan Mohan Malviya's statue11:14 am: Modi garlands Madan Mohan Malviya's statute11:06am - Modi reaches BHU campus9:45 am: Modi arrives at Lalbahadur Shashtri International Airport

Live: Cheered by thousands, Modi files nomination

Varanasi: The Hindu holy city Thursday became a sea of saffron as BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi set out to file his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha election, backed by thousands of cheering

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