Narrative highlights
Congress leader Ajay Rai: Rai instructions affect in Varanasi and his energetic involvement within the party’s grassroots initiatives, including the Bharat Jodo and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, aligns with Congress’ imaginative and prescient of enticing straight with the voters.
As India’s long-established elections diagram, the political ambiance in the Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi has reached a fever pitch with the announcement of Congress leader Ajay Rai’s candidacy against Indian Top Minister Narendra Modi for the third consecutive time.
The stage is determined for a riveting contest between two seasoned contenders. Each of them speaks of a deep-rooted connection to the regular city of Kashi.
Ajay Rai as he went to Varanasi on Sunday (Mar 24), said, “…I’m from Kashi and I’m correctly attentive to every avenue, dwelling, and particular person in Kashi. The time will present whether the BJP will defective 10 lakh votes or will lose by 10 lakh votes.”
When Modi, on Might perhaps well also 14, 2014, selected Varanasi as his constituency for the first time, he referred to himself as a “Kashi vaasi” (Resident of Kashi) and conveyed an emotional message to the folks.
Rai, a stalwart in Uttar Pradesh politics and the head of Congress party’s disclose unit has all over another time challenged PM Modi in his bastion.
Who is Ajay Rai?
Despite suffering defeat within the old two electoral bouts against PM Modi, Rai’s is another time throwing his hat within the ring.
Rai began his political streak with the Bharatiya Janata Celebration’s youth hover ABVP sooner than traversing thru the corridors of the BJP. His electoral triumphs within the UP legislative assembly elections cemented his stature sooner or later of the saffron party.
He secured victory from the Kolasla constituency three cases between 1996 and 2007. On the change hand, he resigned as an MLA when denied a Lok Sabha ticket from Varanasi by the BJP.
The saffron party selected pale leader Murli Manohar Joshi as its candidate for the Lok Sabha seat from Varanasi.
Rai switched allegiance to the Samajwadi Celebration and persevered his electoral pursuits, vying against BJP’s Murli Manohar Joshi in a closely contested fight for Varanasi’s parliamentary seat. The voters favoured Joshi over Rai and totally different contenders and the then-SP leader lost. At the time, mafia don-grew to change into-flesh presser Mukhtar Ansari had secured second space and Rai third.
Rai’s eventually joined the Congress party in 2012. Winning the Pindra seat in Varanasi bolstered his affiliation with the party. On the change hand, electoral fortunes fluctuated, with Rai tasting defeat in 2017 disclose polls.
Battle with PM Modi
Rai first contested against PM Modi in 2014. On the change hand, Modi obtained the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat by defeating his rival SP’s Shalini Yadav. Ajay Rai secured third role with 14.38 per cent vote half when put next to PM Modi’s 63.62 per cent vote half.
Rai instructions affect in Varanasi and his energetic involvement within the party’s grassroots initiatives, including the Bharat Jodo and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, aligns with Congress party’s imaginative and prescient of enticing straight with the voters.
(With inputs from agencies)
