 "Congress fields local MLA Ajay Rai against Modi in Varanasi")
Defending its choice of candidate for the high profile seat, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala described Rai as "a grassroot worker who can ably lead people in Varanasi."
Although there were Congress big guns like Digvijay Singh who was initially considered as he has been a long time Modi baiter, however caste equations prevailed and a Bhumihar or Brahmin was thought to be best for this seat. Apart from Rai, former MP Rajesh Mishra who won the seat for the Congress in 2004 and a Brahmin to boot, was also in contention.
Rai, the MLA from Kolasla in Varanasi, was a BJP member before he joined the Congress in the last Assembly polls. Some however had pointed out to Rai's changing loyalities, he has been with the BJP, Samajwadi party before joining ranks with the Congress. The Bhumihars constitute alteast 1.5 lakh of the population in Varanasi.
Significantly, the party had zeroed in upon Rai earlier but stopped short of announcing his name after Modi's candidature was announced claiming that they too would be fielding a heavyweight. However ground realities kicked in hindsight.
Surjewala added that Ajay Rai had fought several electoral battles from the area and was the choice of both the local partyworkers and party leaders. A local candidate the Congress emphasised would have a better understanding of the local problems here.
After Congress' Noida candidate Ramesh Chand Tomar deserted the party and joined the BJP, leaving the Congress red in the face, party insiders say a wary Congress high command extracted a commitment from Tomar that he would not defect the party mid-way.
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For the Congress, the fight has become symbolic with the party appealing to all secular forces to support their candidate. This time around, the fight in Varanasi has become all the more captivating, as Aam Aadmi Party's Arvind Kejriwal has thrown his hat in the ring.