PM Modi files nomination papers in Indian elections

NEW DELHI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday filed nomination papers for Varanasi, a sacred Hindu city in northern India, as part of the ongoing parliamentary elections.

He was accompanied by leaders of his party and coalition partners while filing his nomination papers to local election authorities.

Modi won this seat from Uttar Pradesh (UP) province in the last elections in 2014.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 71 out of 80 seats in the last elections from this province.

This time Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) pose a challenge to BJP with an alliance in the state.

With the world’s largest electorate -- nearly 900 million -- the elections in India will be held in seven phases through May 19.

The ruling party is the biggest contender in the elections with Modi seeking a second term.