Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome by Union ministers and senior BJP leaders upon reaching the Collectorate office in Varanasi to file his nomination from the Lok Sabha constituency, where he is seeking re-election.
The Prime Minister was received by Union home minister Rajnath Singh and BJP chief Amit Shah with a bouquet of flower.
Several National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies were also present at the occasion including Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Janata Dal (Secular) chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal who greeted PM Modi as he entered the Collectorate office to file his nomination.
In a display of respect and affection, the Prime Minister touched 93-year-old Badal’s feet and greeted other allies and Union ministers with folded hands.
#WATCH: PM Narendra Modi meets NDA leaders at Collectorate office ahead of filing his nomination from Varanasi parliamentary constituency. pic.twitter.com/xVfO9kovHP
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 26, 2019
The gesture left Parkash Singh Badal trending on social media, as BJP leaders and Modi supporters raved at the Prime Minister's gesture.
"Picture of the year. Before filing nomination at Varanasi, PM @narendramodi touching feet of Prakash Singh Badal for blessings," gushed Amit Rakshit, a BJP leader.
PM Modi touching Sardar Prakash Singh Badal ji's feet. Embodiment of Indian culture. #DeshModiKeSaath pic.twitter.com/HyV6TrJprv
— Chowkidar Onkar Pandey (@iOnkarPandey) April 26, 2019
The Prime Minister also touched the feet of 92-year-old Annapurna Shukla, a women's college principal who was one of his proposers for the nomination.
Many drew a contrast with Rahul Gandhi and accused the Congress chief of accepting such gestures from senior leaders instead of giving them respect.
#DeshModiKeSaath
— Amith Hegde (@AmithHegde1) April 26, 2019
Today @narendramodi ji touched feet of 93 yrs old Prakash Singh Badal before filing his nomination.
And see what Rahul and Sonia does ,they get their feets touched by their senior leaders !! pic.twitter.com/LOU8WbX7Qs
Modi is contesting for the second time from Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi. Yesterday, he held a carnival-like roadshow for which huge crowds turned up on the roads of the temple town. He finished the day with an aarti on the banks of the river Ganga.