Lok Sabha elections: Modi to contest from Varanasi

In the run up to the general elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), concluded the ticket distribution while finalizing constituencies for party bigwigs including party prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who will be contesting from Varanasi.

Late on Saturday, BJP leader Anant Kumar declared the names of senior party leaders and their respective constituencies.

"The Central Election Committee (CEC) of the party has decided that Modi will contest from Varanasi, party chief Rajnath Singh will contest from Lucknow, former party chief Murli Manohar Joshi will contest from Kanpur and leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley will contest from Amritsar," said Kumar.

Reportedly, differences have cropped up between Modi and BJP senior leader Murali Manohar Joshi over the Varanasi seat.

Elated Modi supporters in Varanasi immediately took to streets with pro Modi slogans to celebrate over the nomination of candidates.

"We are expressing our happiness as Modi has been selected to represent Varanasi constituency. Varanasi has been tired of selecting MPs but this time we would elect the prime minister," said a Modi supporter, Swaroop Jaiswal.

Another important constituency of the state, Lucknow exhibited the same show with supporters celebrating on streets with Modi banners and party flags.

The BJP has also fielded party general secretary Varun Gandhi from Sultanpur and Maneka Gandhi from Pilibhit.