In a ceremonious display of political piety and strategic decision-making, Prime Minister Narendra Modi set forth on yet another significant journey towards leadership. On Tuesday, exemplifying tradition and political acumen, he filed his nomination papers seeking a prodigious third consecutive term from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, his parliamentary stronghold where he hopes to secure victory by a record margin.
The process, imbued with ritual significance and tradition, saw the Prime Minister clad in an immaculate white kurta paired with churidar and a resplendent blue jacket as he presented his papers at the district magistrate’s office in Varanasi. The holy city is slated to cast its votes on June 1, in the concluding phase of the staggered Lok Sabha polls, with the anticipation of results reaching a crescendo by June 4.
Adding a touch of spiritual fervor, PM Modi first rendezvoused with the Ganga, India’s most sacred river, at the Dashashwamedh Ghat. This interaction with the divine on the auspicious day of Ganga Saptami symbolized a supplication for blessings and strength. He then boarded a cruise that led him to the Namo Ghat, proceeding to offer prayers at the Kaal Bhairav Temple, where he engaged in the sacred Aarti, a ritual of reverence to the deity amidst chants and the rhythmic tolling of temple bells.
Yet, it wasn’t just the liturgy that set the tone for the day. The nomination was attended by an impressive ensemble of 25 leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), representing the cherished solidarity within the coalition. These included the likes of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President JP Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, among others. The show of support spanned a broad spectrum, extending from Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, sealing the Prime Minister’s nomination as an event of political significance.
Diverse political alliances were represented as figures such as TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, LJP National President Chirag Paswan, leaders from the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), and Pawan Kalyan, president of the Jana Sena Party, stood in solidarity, hinting at the overarching acceptance Modi garners across party lines. This assembly at the DM office in Varanasi marked a rare moment of unity in the diverse fabric of Indian politics.
Amid this well-planned choreography of political movements and displays of devoutness, one could not overlook the meticulously chosen time of 11:40 am for the filing of the nomination. The selection of this precise moment pointed to a deeper alignment with cosmic forces, one sought to bolster the Prime Minister’s electoral prospects. Astrologically, the Abhijit Muhurat, falling within a time frame between sunrise and sunset, holds the distinction of being an extraordinarily auspicious period.
The stellar configurations of May 13 offered an advantageous offset, with the auspicious Pushya Nakshatra starting at 11:23 am and persisting until the following day, complemented by the Ashlesha Nakshatra. It’s presumed that these celestial alignments resonate favorably with PM Modi’s astrological chart, providing an additional layer of cosmic support to his ambitions.
The confluence of Ganga Saptami, a day marking the descent of the Goddess Ganga to earth, with the Pushya Nakshatra further heightened the auspicious nature of the occasion. On such a day, not only is the Ganges revered and worshipped, but any endeavor initiated is believed to be blessed with abundant success and the propitious realization of aspirations.
Thus, amidst this blend of ritual grandeur, strategic collaborations, and celestial favor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took definitive steps towards his anticipation of an electoral hat-trick from the sacred city of Varanasi, submitting to both democracy and the divine in a singular act of political affirmation.
