Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially entered the electoral fray by filing his nomination papers from the Varanasi parliamentary seat, a move that marks his bid for a third consecutive term as the Member of Parliament from this constituency. In a significant disclosure, Modi shared his personal mobile phone number and email address in the election affidavit, showcasing a level of transparency uncommon among political leaders in India.
The submitted affidavit detailed Modi's financial assets, indicating moveable assets valued at Rs 3.02 crore, a cash holding of Rs 52,920, and the absence of any land, house, or car ownership in his name. Furthermore, the document unveiled a notable surge in the Prime Minister's taxable income, which escalated from Rs 11 lakh in the fiscal year 2018-19 to Rs 23.5 lakh in 2022-23, underscoring a substantial increase over the years. The filing ceremony witnessed the presence of various NDA leaders, Union ministers, and chief ministers, including the notable attendance of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
During the nomination filing event, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of Bihar was notably missing due to health issues, while PM Modi arrived clad in traditional attire of a white kurta-pajama paired with a blue sadri. Prior to the submission of papers, Modi partook in religious rituals by offering prayers on the banks of the Ganga at the Dashashwamedh ghat and seeking blessings at the Kaal Bhairav temple in the city. Following the formalities of the nomination process, the Prime Minister engaged with local party members at the Rudraksha Convention Centre, urging them to amplify awareness about BJP's initiatives and schemes.
Expressing gratitude through social media platforms, Modi reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people of Varanasi and highlighted the achievements made during his tenure. In his online message, the Prime Minister also acknowledged the contributions of NDA allies towards the nation's progress, emphasizing the collective dedication of the coalition towards the welfare and advancements of the country. Moreover, he commented on the increased voter turnout in every polling booth ever since the abrogation of Article 370, signaling a positive response to the government's actions.