Congress has put an end to speculations about Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting from Varanasi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has announced that Ajay Rai, the party's 2014 candidate, will be fielded this time as well.
Previously, speculations were rife about Priyanka contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Varanasi seat, PM Modi's constituency.
Uttar Pradesh cadres of the Congress party reportedly demanded that Priyanka, AICC in charge in East UP, be fielded from any of the constituencies from the state.
Priyanka had earlier said that if her brother and party president Rahul Gandhi asked her, she would contest from Varanasi. Rahul also said that it would be considered if Priyanka agrees.
READ: Varanasi: India's 'prime' constituency
Prior to this, when a party worker asked her to contest from Rae Bareli, the constituency of her mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka had responded: “Why not Varanasi?”
Varanasi goes to polls in the final phase of elections on May 19. The last date for filing nomination is April 29.
Priyanka has been on the vigorous campaign trail ever since she was appointed the Congress general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh East.
During her first yatra in Uttar Pradesh in March, Priyanka spoke at the Assi Ghat in Varanasi. She had attacked the Modi government for making false promises about alleviating the difficulties of the youth, farmers and women. It was to convey the message in Varanasi and beyond that Priyanka and her party were ready to take on Modi directly, and that she was up for the challenge of preparing the Congress for polls in what was an extremely difficult political terrain for the party.
