)
BJP's Prime Ministerial pick Narendra Modi arrived here to a rousing welcome from party supporters to file his nomination for the mega electoral battle in the holy city where he has been challenged by AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal.
Thousands of people wearing saffron caps, Modi masks and holding BJP flags, lined up along Nadesar, Andhrapaul, Lahurabeer and Cant area in the heart of the city through which he will carry out his road show before filing the nomination.
Immediately after reaching Banaras Hindu University, Modi paid floral tributes to Madan Mohan Malviya at the campus of the renowned educational institution.
At BHU, he was welcomed by thousands of people as sound of conch shells reverberated the air.
The BJP has made elaborate arrangement to make the road show a show of strength and create a momentum for the party's Prime Ministerial candidate.
The BJP supporters had started gathering along Modi's route since morning to have a glimpse of Modi.
Large number of people were seen on rooftops and balconies of all buildings along Modi's route.
BJP units in all the 90 wards in the city reached the venue of the road show by carrying out procession from their respective wards.
Modi will carry out a two-km long road show before filing nomination at the District Magistrate's office.
The party has invited all sections of people to the road show and specifically requested the citizens from Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, residing here, to come in their traditional attire.
Madan Mohan Malaviya's grandson Giridhar Malaviya, a retired judge of the Allahabad High Court, will propose Modi's nomination.
Among the other Modi proposers are Padma Vibhushan Chhandu Lal Mishra, a noted classical singer of Benaras, boatman Virbhadra Nishad and Ashok, representing the dominant weaver community here.
