Varanasi, April 24
BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi today filed his nomination for the high-profile Varanasi electoral battle here after a mega road show, saying "Mother Ganga" had called him and vowed to make this temple town on the banks of the Ganga the world's spiritual capital.

Conch shells rang through the air and rose petals were showered on the 63-year-old Modi as he rode atop an open truck, waving to cheering people thronging the 3-km route from Lahurabeer to Kachhari.

People donning Modi T-shirts, Modi masks and holding BJP flag lined up along arterial roads and on balconies and rooftops in the sweltering heat for a glimpse of the Gujarat Chief Minister.

As Modi’s convoy made its way through Muslim-dominated Nadesar, several people from the community also greeted the BJP leader, who has been challenged in the electoral battle by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal besides others.

“After coming here, I felt neither the BJP sent me nor have I come here on my own. I am here because Mother Ganga has called me.

I feel like a small boy coming to his mother’s lap. I pray to God to give me strength so that I can serve this city," Modi, who is also contesting from Vadodara in Gujarat, said after the three-hour road show. Thanking people for showering love and affection on him, Modi said he would try to make Varanasi the spiritual capital of the world and would make sincere efforts to ensure well being of all section of the society including the weavers. “I am overwhelmed by support and love of people here.” He also pledged to clean up the Ganga, as he had done with the Sabarmati river in Gujarat.

After the road show, Modi -- flanked by party leader -- filed his nomination papers with the District Collector.