Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smriti Irani, filed her nomination papers for the Amethi Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, expressing confidence that the people would bless the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the elections.

Irani, who is re-contesting from Amethi, said, “I have filed my nomination today for the service of Amethi. Over the last 5 years, 114,000 houses have been built under the PM Awas Yojana, 1.5 lakh families have received electricity connections, and over 4 lakh farmers have benefited from the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi”.

“I am hopeful that people will bless PM Modi and the BJP”.

Amethi is scheduled to vote in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 20.

Prior to filing her nomination papers, Irani held a roadshow with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The streets of Amethi were adorned with flower petals as the procession passed through. Earlier, Smriti Irani participated in a puja ceremony at her residence.

Irani also rode a scooter to interact with residents across different neighbourhoods of Amethi yesterday.

While Smriti Irani has filed her nomination, the Congress is yet to declare its candidate for the seat amidst speculation that Rahul Gandhi will contest again from the seat, traditionally considered a stronghold of the Congress. Rahul Gandhi has won three Lok Sabha polls from Amethi.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said on Saturday that the party would release its next list of Lok Sabha candidates, including for Uttar Pradesh’s pending seats, within two days.

The Lok Sabha elections are being conducted in seven phases until June 1, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.