PM Modi And Ajay Rai
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
Congress on Saturday nominated state president Ajay Rai as its candidate from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat. He will be contesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the third consecutive time. His name was already considered decided. He has also contested elections in 2014 and 2019. He was at third place in both the elections.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Congress had fielded Ajay Rai against BJP’s prime ministerial contender and candidate Narendra Modi. Aam Aadmi Party President Arvind Kejriwal also contested the elections and came second. Ajay Rai was at number three. At the same time, in the 2019 elections also, Ajay Rai was at third place. SP’s Shalini Yadav was at second position in that election. Then there was an alliance between SP and BSP. Now once again the party has made Ajay Rai its candidate. This time Congress has an alliance with SP.
Ajay Rai has been MLA from BJP for three consecutive terms.
Congress State President Ajay Rai started his political career from BJP. From 1996 to 2007, he was MLA for three consecutive terms on BJP ticket. In 2009, he sought Lok Sabha ticket from the party. After not getting the ticket, he joined the Samajwadi Party. Contested elections here in 2009 on SP ticket but could not win. In 2009 itself, he contested the by-election from Pindra region as an independent candidate and won. After this, in 2012 he joined Congress and won from Pindra seat.