3-way battle for Varanasi: Narenrda Modi vs Arvind Kejriwal vs Mukhtar Ansari

By on March 18, 2014

New Delhi: The battle for Varanasi has become more intense with increasing hints from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal that he will be taking on Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. The battle has turned into a 3-cornered fight with Bahujan Samaj Party’s (BSP) Mukhtar Ansari contesting from the temple town.

With the BSP entering the fray, it is expected to eat into the BJP vote share in what was assumed to be a ‘safe’ seat for the party. Ansari was a close second in the 2009 elections losing to Murli Manohar Joshi who has now vacated the seat for Modi.

The AAP which has been waiting for the BJP’s announcement is gearing up for a rally in Varanasi on March 23. Kejriwal on Saturday declared that he was ready to take on Modi from Varanasi but linked his final call to the people’s approval there.

BSP’s Mukhtar Ansari was a close second in the 2009 elections losing to Murli Manohar Joshi who has now vacated the seat for Modi.

However, unfazed by Kejriwal’s announcement to seek people’s mandate to take on Modi from Varanasi, the BJP maintained that there was no possibility that the former stood a chance against their prime ministerial nominee.

“There is no doubt that Modi will have a thumping victory from Varanasi. Let Kejriwal file his candidature from that seat. We are sure that people of Varanasi will show him his place in the election,” said Harshad Patel state BJP media convenor.

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