Priyanka Gandhi's Candidature in Varanasi: A Missed Opportunity?

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai voiced the desire for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to contest from Varanasi in the Lok Sabha elections against PM Modi. This comes after Rahul Gandhi claimed she could have significantly challenged Modi's victory. Despite a reduced margin, Modi secured the seat, and the Congress plans to campaign extensively.

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai on Wednesday revealed the state unit's preference for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi, challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, the party decided she should campaign nationwide.

This follows Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's assertion in Raebareli that had his sister contested from Varanasi, Modi would have lost by two or three lakh votes.

Strategically, the Congress fielded Ajay Rai, who was defeated by Modi by a margin of 1,52,513 votes. 'We wanted Priyanka Gandhi to fight against Modi in Varanasi. But the party did not take a call on it because she had to move around the country during the polls,' Rai told PTI Videos.

Notably, Modi's 2021 victory margin was less than his margins in 2019 and 2014 when he secured 4,79,505 and 3,71,784 votes, respectively. Rai also announced that the Congress, along with its INDIA bloc allies, will undertake a 'dhanyavad yatra' to thank voters for supporting the opposition coalition. Furthermore, INDIA bloc parties plan to contest the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections collectively to displace the BJP.

Rai also noted BJP legislators' overconfidence, thinking Modi's brand would suffice to win in Varanasi. 'People and INDIA coalition partners made the saffron party sweat in Varanasi,' he stated. Interestingly, the BJP, which dominated in 2019 with 62 out of 80 seats, was significantly restricted, securing only 33 seats this time.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)