On Mar 23, Congress announced the name of state president Ajay Rai as the party's candidate from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, putting Rai against PM Modi for the third time in a row.

This, however, was almost decided beforehand, and the declaration did not surprise many. Both the time Rai has contested against PM Modi in 2014 and 2019, he emerged third in terms of number of votes.

“I will fulfil the responsibilities given by the party with all my effort. This time, the results will be different and I am confident that the people of Varanasi will bless me,” Rai said, reacting to his name for the seat.

In 2014, he was pitted against PM Modi and Delhi CM and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal. PM Modi had secured the majority then, and Kejriwal was second, putting Rai in third place. 

In 2019, PM Modi again secured the first place, and the second spot was taken over by Samajwadi Party (SP)’s Shalini Yadav.

Who is Ajay Rai?

Congress state president Ajay Rai started his political career with BJP. From 1996 to 2007, he was an MLA for three consecutive terms on a BJP ticket. In the year 2009, he sought a Lok Sabha ticket from the party.

Not getting a ticket, he joined the Samajwadi Party and contested the election on an SP ticket in 2009, but could not win.

In 2009, he contested and won the bye-election as an independent candidate from the Pindra region of UP. In 2012, Rai joined Congress and won from Pindra seat.

Several criminal cases have also been registered against Rai. In 2015, he was arrested under the National Security Act (NSA). In the year 2021, four of his arms licences were suspended over the criminal case.

Rai’s name was declared in the fourth list announced by the GOP on Mar 23. Till now, Congress has declared 185 of its candidates for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

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