(With inputs from PTI)

VARANASI: BJP 's prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi filed his nomination papers from Varanasi on Thursday amid a strong show of strength in the city."I am overwhelmed by the love showered on me by people of Varanasi," Modi said moments before filing his nomination papers.Turning spiritual Modi said, "I don't think anyone has sent me here, or I have come here. I feel Mother Ganga has called me to Varanasi."Modi hoped that Varanasi will become the spiritual capital of the world."I want to serve this land. I want to serve the weavers here. May Kashi emerge as spiritual capital," Modi said.Thousands of people wearing saffron caps, Modi masks and holding BJP flags, lined up along Nadesar, Andhrapaul, Lahurabeer and Cant area in the heart of the city for Modi's road show before he filed his nomination papers."A lot needs to be done to clean river Ganga," Modi said addressing supporters."Ganga will become just like Sabarmati, he said.Earlier, immediately after reaching Banaras Hindu University , Modi paid floral tributes to Madan Mohan Malviya at the campus of the renowned educational institution.At BHU, he was welcomed by thousands of people as sound of conch shells reverberated the air.The BJP had made elaborate arrangement to make the road show a show of strength and create a momentum for the party's prime ministerial candidate.The BJP supporters had started gathering along Modi's route since morning to have a glimpse of Modi.Large number of people were seen on rooftops and balconies of all buildings along Modi's route.BJP units in all the 90 wards in the city reached the venue of the road show by carrying out procession from their respective wards.Modi carried out a two-km long road show before filing nomination at the district magistrate's office.The party had invited all sections of people to the road show and specifically requested the citizens from Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, residing here, to come in their traditional attire.Madan Mohan Malaviya's grandson Giridhar Malaviya, a retired judge of the Allahabad high court, proposed Modi's nomination.Among the other Modi proposers are Padma Vibhushan Chhandu Lal Mishra, a noted classical singer of Benaras, boatman Virbhadra Nishad and Ashok, representing the dominant weaver community here.