Ajay Rai: Congress Challenger in Varanasi

Ajay Rai, the Congress candidate contesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi, has a storied political journey marked by shifts across party lines. Rai, currently the Uttar Pradesh Congress president, began with the BJP, serving as a three-time MLA in the UP Assembly before joining Congress in 2012. Despite his electoral experience, Rai faced defeat against Modi in 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Rai’s campaign rhetoric has focused on critiquing Modi’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and championing the preservation of Varanasi’s cultural identity. With 18 criminal cases against him, Rai’s candidacy adds complexity to the high-stakes electoral battle in Varanasi.