The Opposition-bloc INDIA is considering a list of renowned politicians to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Lok Sabha constituency—Varanasi.
The development has come a day after the opposition leaders held a meeting in New Delhi over seat sharing for 2024 Lok Sabha elections, reported NDTV.
Varanasi has voted for the BJP in every election since 1991 (except for 2004) and sent Modi to the Lok Sabha in 2014 and 2019, the second time with a mandate in excess of 60 per cent votes.
The Congress held the temple town for a decade from 1952 but only intermittently since, and the INDIA bloc faces a nearly impossible task in wresting the seat from the Prime Minister's grasp.
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The report quoting sources said two names have been proposed so far - Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) boss Nitish Kumar, and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi.
Kumar who been opposing BJP, was been once an ally of it.
He is one of the founding members of INDIA bloc. Kumar was also touted as the opposition’s PM candidate for 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Earlier, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge was also pitched as a potential PM candidate. However, Kharge yesterday said he wants to focus on winning the election.
Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi has never contested an election. There was speculation she would in 2019 - interestingly enough the talk was about Varanasi and a showdown with the PM - but the Congress fielded Ajay Rai again, who finished third and over five lakh votes behind the PM. Earlier, Priyanka Gandhihas said she stands ready to make her electoral debut whenever the party decides. She has also expressed her willingness to contest from Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi against PM Modi.
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It is said that her name was proposed by TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, who also suggested Kharge as a possible PM candidate for INDIA.
