Narendra Modi to file nomination in Varanasi on April 24

Lucknow: BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi will file his nomination papers from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on April 24, his close aide Amit Shah announced today.

Addressing his first press conference after the Election Commission (EC) lifted its gag order on him over alleged hate speeches, Mr Shah said that after the filing of nomination papers by the Gujarat Chief Minister, the "wave in the country for Modi will turn into a tsunami of sorts".

Varanasi goes to polls on May 12, the final of the nine-phase general election. (India Votes 2014: full coverage)

The country is yearning for a change and looking towards the BJP and Mr Modi with a lot of hope, Mr Shah, who is handling his party's campaign in UP, said.

He also claimed that the BJP would sweep the first two phases of polls in the state.

"Of the 21 seats for which balloting has taken place, we will win 18 seats," Mr Shah said, adding that the results would better the previous showings in the state.

Accusing the Congress of being bankrupt on issues like inflation, price rise, corruption and internal security, Mr Shah said that in the absence of any answers on such vital issues, the Congress and its leaders were indulging in personal attacks.

"People feel betrayed and cheated by the Congress-led UPA government in the last 10 years and are now in a mood for change," the former Gujarat Home Minister said.

He also threw a poser at Congress' candidate from Varanasi, Ajay Rai, who is accused of purchasing an AK-47 and sought to know what the stand of his party vice president Rahul Gandhi was on the allegations. (Congress' Ajay Rai discloses nine pending criminal cases)

"Did the Congress find no better candidate with a clean image against Narendra bhai," the BJP leader said.

On being asked whether he was apologetic about his hate speeches led to a ban from the Election Commission on his rallies, Mr Shah likened it to bowling in cricket, saying a bowler at times does bowl a no ball.

He also said that he would ensure that he did not breach the model code of conduct in the future.