Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially filed his nomination papers from the Varanasi parliamentary seat on May 14, marking his bid for a third consecutive term in the Lok Sabha elections. With Varanasi set to vote on June 1 in the seventh and final phase of the election, PM Modi’s nomination signals a pivotal moment in India’s political landscape.
Know all about the proposers
As per the regulations outlined by the Election Commission, any individual contesting an election must be endorsed by a proposer who is a registered voter of the concerned Assembly or parliamentary constituency. Both the candidate and the proposer are required to sign the nomination papers. The Representation of the People Act of 1951 specifies that a candidate affiliated with a recognised state or national party needs only one proposer. In contrast, an Independent candidate or a candidate representing an unrecognised party must secure the endorsement of ten proposers to validate their nomination.
For PM Modi’s nomination in Varanasi, he chose common men from diverse communities, including upper castes, OBCs, and SCs. Notable among his proposers were Pandit Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, a Brahmin community member, who played a pivotal role in determining the auspicious timing for the Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Hailing from Tamil Nadu but calling the historic Meerghat area of Kashi home, Dravid has entrenched himself in the fabric of the ancient city, residing at the revered Sangveda Vidyalaya. The scion of a lineage steeped in erudition, Dravid is the second son of the esteemed Rajeshwar Shastri, himself a venerable scholar of the Vedas and Shastras.
Baijnath Patel, a respected volunteer of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), originates from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community. Lalchand Kushwaha, another advocate from the OBC community, emphasises Prime Minister Modi’s broad support base as a proposer. Sanjay Sonkar, representing the Dalit community, showcases the Prime Minister’s commitment to reaching out to every segment of society.
PM Modi’s connection with Varanasi, a city steeped in spiritual and cultural significance, remains profound. In a post on X expressing his sentiment towards Varanasi, he stated, “My relationship with my Kashi is amazing, inseparable, and incomparable… all I can say is that it cannot be expressed in words!”.
काशी के मेरे परिवारजनों का हृदय से आभार!
वाराणसी से लगातार तीसरी बार नामांकन कर बेहद उत्साहित हूं। बीते 10 वर्षों में आप सबसे जो अद्भुत स्नेह और आशीर्वाद मिला है, उसने मुझे निरंतर सेवाभाव और पूरे संकल्प के साथ काम करने के लिए प्रेरित किया है। आपके भरपूर समर्थन और सहभागिता से… pic.twitter.com/W1NQfxMcmb
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 14, 2024
After filing his nomination, PM Modi embarked on a dazzling roadshow in Varanasi, reaffirming his commitment to serving the holy city. The overwhelming support and affection he received during the roadshow left an indelible mark on him as he expressed gratitude for the love and blessings showered upon him by the people of Kashi.
Earlier in 2019, PM Modi submitted his candidature application from Varanasi; his proposers included an agriculturist, a former principal of the Mahila Mahavidyalaya at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and the chief cremator of the Varanasi ghats.
In 2014, PM Modi, a candidate of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), filed his nomination papers from Varanasi. Among those who endorsed Narendra Modi’s candidature were Giridhar Malaviya, the grandson of Madan Mohan Malaviya and a retired judge of the Allahabad High Court, and Padma Vibhushan awardee and renowned classical singer Pandit Chhannulal Mishra.
Virbhadra Nishad, a boatman, and Ashok Kumar, a member of the weaver community, also served as proposers for PM Modi’s candidature.
Among those who endorsed PM Modi’s candidature was Annapurna Shukla, a distinguished academician who had served as the principal of the Mahila Mahavidyalaya at BHU. Sadly, Professor Annapurna passed away in September 2023.
Reflecting on past elections, PM Modi’s victories in Varanasi in 2014 and 2019 demonstrate the city’s unwavering support for him. In 2014, he won the seat with an overwhelming majority, securing over 56 per cent of the votes. His triumph in 2019 further solidified Varanasi’s allegiance, with a resounding victory margin exceeding 4.79 lakh votes.
The significance of Varanasi as a BJP stronghold since 2009 cannot be overstated. From Murli Manohar Joshi’s victory in 2009 to PM Modi’s consecutive triumphs, Varanasi has steadfastly supported the BJP.
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