Kejriwal takes on Modi in Varanasi, Cong puts up Mistry in Vadodara

New Delhi: While the Aam Aadmi Party is confident of winning against Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in Varanasi, the Congress candidate from Vadodara Narendra Rawat refused to contest against the Gujarat Chief Minister. In a damage control mode after Rawat's refusal, the Congress fielded senior leader Madhusudhan Mistry from Vadodara.

Arvind Kejriwal, who defeated three-time Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit with over 25,000 votes in the 2013 Assembly elections, declared that he would contest the Lok Sabha elections against Modi from Varanasi seat in Uttar Pradesh. Kejriwal made the announcement at a rally in Varanasi's Benia Bagh and hit out at both the BJP and Congress. He accused both the parties of being hand-in-glove in looting the country.

Kejriwal challenged Modi to a debate with him over development claims in Gujarat. "I challenge Modi to come and do a debate with me. I am ready to fight elections against Modi, but I don't have any money. I will come to you to collect money."

He also took a jibe at Modi over claim of giving anti-corruption government to people of India. He said that Modi re-indicted corrupt leaders like Sriramulu and BS Yeddyurappa to become the prime minister.

While Kejriwal managed to attract large crowd at his rallies in Varanasi, he also faced protest as some unidentified men threw ink and and eggs at him. Disgruntled Kejriwal alleged that men hired by Modi targeted him.

While the AAP is busy taking on Modi, the Congress party is fixing internal issues to evade embarrassment. Its candidate from Vadodara, Rawat, refused to contest against Modi saying the party should field a stronger candidate. The Congress then announced candidature of Madhusudhan Mitsry from Vadodara.

Even as the Congress announced a new candidate in Vadodara but it remains to be seen as to whom the party will field in Varanasi against Modi and Kejriwal. There are reports that Congress may field Digvijaya Singh or one of its local leader from Varanasi. It will be interesting to see whether the Congress will put some prominent face from Varanasi or will leave Kejriwal to take on Modi by fielding an underdog.