On Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed paperwork to run in the ongoing general elections in Varanasi, which are essentially a referendum on his decade in power. Modi aims to retain his seat in Varanasi, the constituency from where he won in 2014 and 2019. The general election, which began in April and will continue until June 1, is the world’s largest democratic election with nearly 970 million eligible voters. Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party is leading in the polls over their main challenger, a broad opposition alliance led by the Indian National Congress.
Most polls show Modi as the front-runner for the prime minister position, although the opposition alliance has not yet announced their candidate. Modi’s supporters credit him with rapid economic growth and improved global standing, but critics accuse him of undermining India’s democracy by attacks against minorities and limiting dissent and free media. Ahead of filing his nomination, Modi led a roadshow in Varanasi on Monday, drawing thousands of supporters who cheered for him as rose petals rained down. The holy city of Varanasi has around 1.7 million voters, making it an important constituency in the elections.
Modi’s main opponent in Varanasi is Ajai Rai from the regional Samajwadi Party, which is in alliance with the Congress party. Uttar Pradesh, the state where Varanasi is located, is crucial in Indian elections as it sends the largest number of MPs to Parliament and has supported Modi’s BJP in the last two elections. Modi is considered a champion of India’s Hindu majority, which comprises 80% of the population. However, critics accuse him of weakening India’s status as a secular nation and suppressing dissent.
The filing of nomination papers is a procedural step that allows Modi to contest the election in Varanasi, where voting is scheduled for June 1. The filing marks the formal beginning of Modi’s campaign in Varanasi, a city on the banks of the Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh. Modi’s economic record and government’s performance on issues such as unemployment and inflation have been questioned by his political opponents. Modi has also been accused of allowing attacks against minorities under his watch.
Modi’s roadshow in Varanasi was met with enthusiastic supporters wearing saffron caps and waving BJP flags. The filing of nomination is just a step in the electoral process, with votes set to be counted on June 4. Modi’s leadership has seen rapid economic growth in India, but critics argue that it has come at the cost of democracy and religious tolerance. The ongoing general election will decide the composition of India’s lower house of parliament and determine who will lead the country for the next five years.
