Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: BJP, after brainstorming came to a decision that having PM Modi as a candidate from Varanasi will shore up its tally in the state, where it won a staggering 71 of 80 seats in 2014.
Image source: PTI
BJP, the ruling party, in its assessment came to a decision that having PM Modi as a candidate from Varanasi will shore up its tally in the state, where it won a staggering 71 of 80 seats in 2014.
In 2014, PM Modi, 68, contested from Varanasi as well as Vadodara in his home state Gujarat. After winning both, he decided to retain the holy city in Uttar Pradesh.
It is suspected that in the April-May general elections, the Prime Minister may opt for another temple town, Puri, but top party sources say he is likely to stick with Varanasi.
PM Modi had, in an interview to news agency ANI, not confirmed or denied whether he would contest from the Odisha constituency. “Media persons also should get some work,” were his exact words.
Neither it’s clear that PM Modi will contest from a second seat nor that the seat will be Puri. Apparently, BJP parliamentary board stands strong that PM Modi fits in Varanasi.
The Puri speculation does confirm that the BJP is determined to improve its score in states like Bengal, Odisha and its neighbour Andhra Pradesh.
In both Bengal and Odisha, the BJP came second in key polls.
Varanasi will vote on May 19, in the last round of seven-phase polls that start on April 11. The results will be declared on May 23.
Stay tuned for more updates!
