VARANASI, Apr 24: Narendra Modi today filed his nomination for the high-profile electoral battle here after a mega road show, saying “Mother Ganga” has called him and vowed to make this temple town on the banks of Ganges the world’s spiritual capital.
Conch shells rang through the air and rose petals were showered on him as 63-year-old Modi, riding atop an open truck, waved to cheering people thronging the three km route from Lahurabeer to Kachhari.
People donning Modi T-shirts, Modi masks and holding BJP flag lined up the arterial roads and on balconies and rooftops in sweltering heat to have a glimpse of the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate.
As Modi’s convoy made its way through Muslim-dominated Nadesar, several people from the minority community also greeted the BJP leader who has been challenged in the electoral battle by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal besides others.
“After coming here, I felt neither BJP has sent me nor I have come here. I am here because Mother Ganga has called me. I am feeling like a small boy coming to mother’s lap. I pray to God to give me strength so that I can serve this city,” Modi, who is also contesting from Vadodara in Gujarat, said after the three-hour-long road show.
Thanking people for showering love and affection on him, Modi said he will try to make Varanasi the spiritual capital of the world and would make sincere efforts to ensure well being of all section of the society including the weavers. “I am overwhelmed by support and love of people here.”
After the road show, Modi, flanked by party leaders Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Amit Shah and Ravi Shankar Prasad, filed his nomination papers to District Collector.
Madan Mohan Malaviya’s grandson, Giridhar Malaviya, a retired judge of the Allahabad High Court and Padma Vibhushan winner Chhandu Lal Mishra, a noted classical singer of Varanasi, were among the four proposers of Modi. Both Malviya and Mishra accompanied Modi during filing of the nomination.
Earlier, Modi was given a rousing welcome at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) where he paid floral tributes at the statue of Madan Mohan Malviya, the founder for the renowned educational institutions.
The Gujarat Chief Minister also garlanded statues of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Kashi University complex and Swami Vivekananda near the Kachheri. Modi often refers to Sardar Patel and Vivekananda in his speeches.
Talking to reporters, Modi said there was need to rid Ganga of pollution and he will put sincere efforts in this regard. He also invoked Lord Budha and Mahatma Gandhi and said he will try to make Banaras a better city.
Touching on weavers’ community of Varanasi, he said there was a need to introduce modern technology in the sector which could be made renowned world over. “It (silk industry) is our pride. I think there is a need to upgrade technology, design and marketing.”
At the District Magistrate’s office, Modi had to wait for around 20 minutes to file his nomination as an Independent was filing his papers.
The road show had triggered massive traffic snarls across the city as police erected barricades as part of the security drill.
Amit Shah, close aide Modi and BJP’s UP in-charge, said the road show has proved that the “Modi wave has turned into a tsunami”.
“The large crowd at Varanasi has reflected that the Modi wave in Uttar Pradesh has turned into a tsunami. The defeat of Congress, SP and BSP is certain in Uttar Pradesh. The impact of the support will be felt in Bihar and other neighbouring states,” Shah told reporters.
The BJP had made elaborate arrangements to make the road show a grand success.
BJP units in all the 90 wards in the city had reached the venue of the road show by carrying out procession from their respective wards.
The party had invited all sections of people to the road show and specifically requested the citizens from Punjab, Gujarat, Maharastra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, residing here.
In some areas, traders had shut their shops to participate in the road show. (AGENCIES)
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