Video: Narendra Modi files nomination from Varanasi

, April 24:

's in-charge for Uttar Pradesh said the Modi wave has now been transformed into a tsunami.

Taking oath of god, Narendra Modi filed his nomination from the holy city Varanasi. He is contesting against Congress candidate Ajay Rai and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal.
2:00 PM

Narendra Modi at Varanasi, filing nomination:
Accompanied by BJP leaders including Amit Shah, Ravi Shankar Prasad Modi entered into the collectorate office to file his nomination.
1:56 PM

I have come here to Ganga, says Modi in Varanasi:
Modi finally spoke to the media at the collector's office. He said, I want to serve this land. I want to serve the weavers here. May Kashi emerge as spiritual capital."

"I don't think anyone has sent me here nor have I come here. Like a child going to his Mother, I have come here to Ganga. I am grateful to the people of Kashi for the affection. I bow to this land and the culture," he added.
1:52 PM

Modi roadshow in like a Bollywood film, says Congress:
Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha likened Modi's roadshow with a Bollywood film.

Jhatweeted, "Mr Modi' s campaign is like that of a Bollywood film; everything is an " event /PR "; trailer launch, teaser of promo, music, etc.Desperate."
1:45 PM

Yeddyurappa hit by human tsunami in Varanasi, wishes Modi:
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa wished Narendra Modi the very best as the latter reached collector's office to file his nomination.

Turning upto the micro-blogging site Twitter, Yeddyurappa expressed how has been overwhelmed by the people's response received by Modi.

Modi pays floral tribute to Swami Vivekananda:
Narendra Modi, while continuing his roadshow, paid floral tribute at Swami Vivekanand's statue in Varanasi. He is expected to reach the collector office to file his nomination shortly.
1:20 PM

'Hanumans', hanging on polls, click Modi's pics from mobile:
Supporters of Modi are hanging from poles, taking pictures of their leader from their phones. Some of the supporters dressed as 'hanuman'.

Banner on Narendra Modi's truck reads - 'Achhe din aane wale hain'. BJP supporters perched on trees to see Narendra Modi's procession, many seen dancing on streets with dhol music in background. Frenzy of excitement and energy.
1:15 PM

Manmohan Singh shocks India, breaks silence about Modi-wave:
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shocked the nation on Thursday when he cast his vote in Assam.

Singh, who faces criticism for his infamous silence, finally broke his silence over much hyped 'Modi wave' in the country when Modi reached Varanasi to file his nomination. Lashing out at the media and BJP's PM nominee, the PM said, "The 'Modi wave' is a creation of the media. There is no Modi wave in the country, Congress is not losing ground."
1:10 PM

Varanasi gripped in Narendra Modi wave, coloured with Saffron:
Narendra Modi is wearing pristine white, but there is no lack of colour as Varanasi turns out in a celebration extraordinaire to cheer the BJP's prime ministerial candidate.

Thousands of BJP workers and supporters have washed the ancient city in saffron. But there is also the red of rose petals being showered from the terraces and windows of homes as Modi's open truck crawls along the two-km route from BHU where he landed in a helicopter and the collectorate where he will file his nomination papers.

His vehicle, draped in the BJP's colours, has covered about 500 metres in the last two hours, so thick is the crowd of cheering people on the roads.

There are people everywhere in a carnival-like atmosphere, on terraces, on trees; those who have come in from other states are in traditional attire, holding up hundreds of flags with the BJP's lotus symbol.
12:55 PM

Narendra Modi already defeated Kejriwal in Varanasi!
It seems that Narendra Modi has already defeated one of his biggest competitor -- Arvind Kejriwal. More than 2 lakh people gathered to get a glimpse of Modi in the city on Thursday.

Comparing to Modi's roadshow, Kejriwal had witnessed a poor response from the people of the holy city on Wednesday. During his roadshow in the city, Kejriwal said, "Somebody was saying that Modi is spending Rs. 5000 crore in advertisements. Gandhi is also spending a lot of money. You watch TV, read newspapers, see billboards, they are there and everywhere. If he (Modi) is elected to power, he will make at least Rs. 5 lakh crore."

The AAP chief also said, "I am a fakir. I have no money. I will run a campaign on your money. You decide what do you want."
12:45 pm

Modi has reasons to carry hatred around him: Rahul Gandhi:
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi lashed out at Narendra Modi who is on his way to file his nomination.

Gandhi said, "Modi carries hatred around with him. He probably has reasons to do so. I don't see the need to accept any of these gifts (titles) that Modiji is giving me. He can keep them with himself."

"The Congress worker, unlike the BJP cadres, is seen not only waving the banner on television sets but he is fighting in every village, every town and every locality against the communal and divisive agenda of the Opposition," Rahul added.
12:25 pm

Varanasi discovers Narendra Modi's secrets, Guj CM cites Kabir
The prime ministerial nominee of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has become a poet before filing his nomination. Modi cites Kabir and Ghalib as he is all set to file his nomination.
12:04 PM

Narendra Modi accompanied by Amit Shah, Ravi Shankar Prasad:
Narendra Modi is accompanied by Amit Shah, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Laxmikant Bajpai in his road show in Varanasi. Stringent security arrangements are in place.
12:00 pm

Video: Modi begins roadshow, human wave hits Varanasi
Narendra Modi leads 2 km roadshow to Varanasi Collectorate office, to file his nomination shortly.

The Gujarat Chief Minister first garlanded a statue of the founder of the BHU -- Madan Mohan Malaviya outside the university campus.

Large number of people are turning out as the roadshow progresses.

Watch Video:

11:45 am

Narendra Modi reaches Varanasi to file nomination:
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi reached Varanasi on Thursday, April 24. At least 2 lakh people gathered at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) from where Modi will kick start his roadshow before filing his nomination.

The crowd massed outside the BHU where Modi is scheduled to garland a statue of its founder, Madan Mohan Malaviya, at the start of the show of strength.

His supporters kept raising slogans praising Modi.

"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.

Most people in the overwhelmingly male gathering wore identical saffron caps.

Modi's main opponents here are AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, who filed his nomination Wednesday, and Ajay Rai of the Congress.
11:30 am