Congress has unveiled its fourth list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, with a notable inclusion being Purvanchal (eastern Uttar Pradesh) stalwart Ajai Rai, nominated to contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi.
Ajai Rai, known as a ‘bahubali’ (strongman) in the Purvanchal region, has served as the Congress’s Uttar Pradesh unit chief since 2023. With a background as a BJP turncoat, Congress is relying on his ability to invigorate the party at the grassroots level in Uttar Pradesh.
Hailing from the influential Bhumihar community, Rai holds sway in certain pockets of eastern UP, bolstering his political candidacy. Despite previous electoral setbacks against PM Modi in 2019 and 2014, Rai’s selection underscores Congress’s strategic move to revitalize its presence in the state.
His political journey, spanning from the BJP’s student wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), to three-time MLA on a BJP ticket, followed by a stint with the Samajwadi Party before joining Congress, reflects his evolving political affiliations.
Congress’s decision to field Rai aligns with its Bharat Jodo and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra initiatives, emphasizing grassroots engagement and addressing the public’s grievances, particularly those of the youth. Rai’s candidacy signifies the party’s resolve to directly challenge PM Modi across Uttar Pradesh.
As part of the INDIA bloc alliance with the Samajwadi Party, the Congress is contesting 17 seats in Uttar Pradesh. Rai’s nomination signifies a strategic manoeuvre to contest the BJP’s dominance in the region, where PM Modi represents Varanasi in the Lok Sabha, and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath holds sway in the state assembly.
