India's Modi denies stoking divisions to win election, files nomination

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he walks on the day he files his nomination papers for the general elections in Varanasi, India May 14, 2024. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended himself against criticism that he is stoking divisions between Hindus and Muslims to win national elections as he filed his nomination on Tuesday for re-election from one of Hinduism's holiest cities.

India began voting April 19 in the seven-phase election in which Modi, 73, is seeking to be the second prime minister to win a third straight term since independence leader Jawaharlal Nehru.