Lok Sabha Elections 2024: PM Modi holds roadshow in Varanasi

Lucknow: Seeking a third term in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a massive roadshow in his Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi a day before filing his nomination papers from the seat.

Sporting a saffron scarf, Modi started his roadshow after garlanding the statue of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya at Lanka amid chanting 'Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi' and 'Jai Shree Ram' by thousands of BJP workers and others.

The prime minister's roadshow ended at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple after traversing five kilometres in more than two and half hours. The roadshow passed through Assi, Jangambadi, Godoulia and Bansphatak areas before ending at the Vishwanath Temple. Modi would be paying obeisance at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Thousands of people lined up on both sides of the road from where Modi, who was atop a specially designed 'rath' with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, passed. People were also seen atop their houses and showering flower petals on the prime minister, who waved at the crowd throughout the roadshow.

It was a sea of saffron on the streets of Varanasi as BJP workers and others, carrying posters praising Modi and highlighting the development of the city during the past ten years, accompanied the prime minister during his roadshow.

Hundreds of saffron clad women marched ahead of the prime minister's 'rath' (chariot) symbolising what the saffron party said the 'Matrishakti' (power of the women). The road from Godoulia to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple had been decorated with colourful lights.

According to the BJP sources, Modi would pay obeisance at the famous Kal Bhairav Temple in the city on Tuesday before proceeding to file his nomination papers. According to the Hindu mythology, it is essential to pay obeisance at the temple of Kal Bhairav, who is said to be the 'kotwal' of Kashi (the old name of Varanasi), before proceeding for any work.

The prime minister may also take a holy dip in the Ganga before filing his nomination papers, sources said. One of the proposers of Modi, included Ganeshwar Shastri, who was the main priest at the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in January this year.

Modi would be meeting the leaders of the NDA before filing the nomination papers and would also have a meeting with the BJP workers after filing his papers.