Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to reporters after filing his nomination papers at the Collectorate office in Varanasi and exhorted voters not to fall in the trap of those telling them that there is no need to vote because Modi is certainly going to win.

He also expressed gratitude to the people of Varanasi for turning up in large numbers for his roadshow.

“An atmosphere is being created by some people who are saying that Modi-ji has won and it won’t affect anything even if you don’t vote. I request you not to fall in this trap. This is your vote and the democracy is a festival. More votes should be cast to strengthen the nation, democracy and government,” he said.

Thanking the people of Varanasi for the show of strength displayed on Thursday at his massive roadshow from BHU to Dashaswamedha Ghat, the PM said, “I deeply express gratitude towards people of Kashi. They have again blessed me after 5 years. Such a grand roadshow yesterday was possible only in Kashi.

The PM also appealed to voters across the country to exercise their franchise in a peaceful manner.

“I appeal to the voters to cast their votes peacefully in the remaining phases of the elections,” the PM said.

He also expressed gratitude to media persons.

“I also thank the media persons. I arrived here only in the evening yesterday but you people have been here for over 24 hours in this scorching heat. I pray for your good health,” he said.

Before speaking to the media, the PM filed his nomination for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from the Varanasi constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

The PM was accompanied by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) top allies to the Collectorate office where he filed the nomination papers.

Read More | PM Modi files nomination from Varanasi; top NDA allies join in mega show of strength

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Parkash Singh Badal, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan were among those present during the nomination filing.

Leaders of the AIADMK, the Apna Dal and the North-East Democratic Alliance were also present.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi addressed a gathering of BJP workers in his constituency and said that “pro-incumbency wave is seen in the country for the first time since Independence”.

He said the entire country wants ‘Modi sarkar’ again.

Ahead of filing the nomination, PM Modi visited the famous Kal Bhairav temple in Varanasi.

On Thursday, in a prelude to nomination filing, PM Modi held a massive roadshow in his parliamentary constituency.

The PM also performed Ganga Aarti in the presence of BJP president Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and a bevy of other BJP leaders at the Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Modi, who contested and won from Varanasi for the first time in 2014, is looking for a second term in office as Prime Minister of India.

In 2014, the PM had won from both Varanasi and Vadodara. He left the seat in Gujarat and retained the one in UP, where the BJP won 70 of the 80 seats.