BJP shortlists ten candidates to endorse Narendra Modi's nomination

Varanasi: Bharatiya Janata Party has shortlisted ten names who will endorse Modi's nomination from Varanasi. While four names will be adequate for the nominations (BJP intends to file four sets of nomination papers), the party's local unit has sought assent from ten prominent individuals of Varanasi because it wants to be certain about having enough back up options lest anyone decides to withdraw endorsement at the last minute.

Party spokesperson Ashok Pandey told ET that so far names of the son of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, Justice (retired) Giridhar Malaviya, and Padma Bhushan Pandit Channulal Mishra have been confirmed.

Other names include Noor Fatima, who set up a Shiva temple here, popular tea stall owner Vishwanath Singh who's identified with the name Pappu, a Muslim scholar of Sanskrit and a descendant of the royal family of Benaras.

"The names will be declared by early evening. The strength of Modiji's campaign is made evident in the fact that even his nominees are more popular than some of the candidates contesting against him," said Pandey.