Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani on Monday filed their nomination papers for Lok Sabha elections.

Rajnath filed his nomination papers from the Lucknow seat, seeking a third consecutive term from the prestigious Lok Sabha constituency. Accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his Uttarakhand counterpart Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Union Defence Minister reached the collectorate for filing the nomination paper.

Union Minister and prominent BJP leader Irani filed her nomination papers from the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency.

Accompanied by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and several other leaders, Irani led a spirited roadshow from the BJP office in Gauriganj before formally submitting her papers.

Before filing his nomination, Singh offered prayers at the Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman Temple and at the Hanuman Setu Temple here. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajyapee had in the past represented the prestigious Lucknow constituency.

Irani’s decision to contest from Amethi, considered the stronghold of the Gandhi family, comes on the heels of her historic victory over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 elections.

“After filing my nomination today, I am committed to serving the people of Amethi,” Irani told reporters. “Over the past five years, significant strides have been made in Amethi, including the construction of 1,14,000 houses under the PM Awas Yojana, the provision of electricity connections to 1.5 lakh families, and assistance to over 4 lakh farmers through the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. I am confident that the people will once again bless Modi and the BJP.” While the Congress has yet to announce its candidate from the seat, speculations abound that Rahul Gandhi will opt to contest from Amethi once more.