Mumbai,Rae Bareli: Monday was a day for some very high-profile candidates to file their nominations, from Sanjay Dutt's sister Priya Dutt in father's seat in Mumbai, to the biggest Congress candidate of them all, Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli.
Rae Bareli's first family drove in like royalty the road paved with loyals. Sonia Gandhi was on her home turf with son Rahul Gandhi and family friend Satish Sharma.
She filed her nomination papers for the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat around noon, declaring assets worth around Rs 1.3 crore rupees.
Earlier in the day, mother and son upheld an old family tradition prayer at the Congress office.
Another truly royal welcome was in Gwalior. BJP candidate Yashodhara Raje Scindia filed her nomination papers after a long religious ceremony.
Mumbai too saw long processions of followers for Abu Azmi, who filed his nomination from Mumbai northwest as an SP candidate. Friend Amar Singh tagged along.
In another part of the city, first time MP, Ram Jethmalani's son Mahesh filed his nomination from Mumbai north.
"I will be an honest MP and will ensure that the country is secure," said Mahesh.
His opponent will be Congress candidate Priya Dutt, who showed up at the poll office too late to file her nomination papers on Monday.
Though her brother has said he will campaign for SP's Nafisa Ali in Lucknow, Priya feels Sanjay will be with her in spirit.
"He will always stay with me," said Priya.