According to PTI, sources said that one of the ideas discussed at the INDIA bloc’s fourth meeting was fielding a strong opposition candidate from Varanasi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The opposition parties gathered at the meeting said that some unconventional ideas were needed to challenge BJP in the polls.
According to the sources, one of the ideas discussed was to field a united opposition candidate from Varanasi to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Arvind Kejriwal, the founder of the Aam Aadmi Party, ran against Modi in the 2014 parliamentary elections from Varanasi and lost by a margin of 3.37 lakh votes.
While seat sharing was still a main focus of discussion at the INDIA bloc meeting, the leaders also talked about organizing joint rallies and meetings.
There were rumours in 2019 that Congresswoman Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would run from Varanasi. But Ajay Rai was fielded by the Congress, and Shalini Yadav by the Samajwadi Party. However, Modi won the election with more than 60% of the vote.
Earlier this month, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar declared he would stage a rally in Varanasi but the rally was called off because they were unable to get permission.
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