After scripting landslide victory, PM Modi in Varanasi to thank people of his constituency

Modi, who won in Varanasi by close to five lakh votes, was received by Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah at the city airport.

Waving hands to greet people waiting on the streets, Modi, who had spearheaded BJP's poll campaign, reached Kashi Vishwanath Temple where he was accompanied by Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Last time when he had visited, the Prime Minister held a roadshow which saw a huge crowd hinting at his landslide victory. Exuding confidence, Modi had said he would return to Varanasi after his win to thank the people of his constituency.

In the same state, where Congress chief Rahul Gandhi was defeated by BJP's Smriti Irani, Modi increased his winning margin from 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Though in the 2014 polls, the Prime Minister had contested from two seats, Varanasi and Vadodara, Modi this time opted for only the city of Uttar Pradesh.

In the election in which the Opposition was decimated, the BJP won 303 seats. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) also bettered its tally to reach 353.

Modi and his council of ministers will take oath at 7 pm on May 30, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a statement. President Ram Nath Kovind would administer the oath of office and secrecy to Prime Minister Modi and the ministers, it added.