NEW DELHI, March 21 (Xinhua) -- India's main ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday released its first list of candidates for the ensuing general elections.

Prime Minister Narenrda Modi will contest from his present parliamentary constituency Varanasi, situated in northern state of Uttar Pradesh, said senior party leader and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda while announcing the list of candidates at the party office.

BJP President Amit Shah will contest from the Gandhinagar parliamentary constituency, which is presently represented by party's stalwart and former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani.

Names of a total of 184 candidates were announced by the party from 20 different states.

Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani will contest from Amethi parliamentary constituency against Rahul Gandhi, the president of main opposition party the Indian National Congress (INC).

The Indian general elections will start on April 11 and undergo seven phases with the final result coming out on May 23.