Puri or Varanasi: Where will PM Modi contest elections from?
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will contest from Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, just like the last Lok Sabha elections, NDTV reports. This development comes amid suggestions that PM Modi might contest from Odisha's Puri. In 2014, PM Modi won Lok Sabha elections from both Gujarat's Vadodara and Varanasi. Later, he retained the seat of the holy town of UP. Here's more on this.
Demand
BJP's Odisha unit forwarded a demand to party's top brass
In October last year, the BJP unit of Odisha wrote to the party's leadership proposing that PM Modi should contest from Puri. "We want the Prime Minister to contest the 2019 elections from Puri. However, the final decision will be taken by the BJP Parliamentary Board," said state unit President Basant Panda. BJP workers opined this would improve the party's prospects in the state.
States
BJP has high hopes from Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra
BJP has been making inroads in West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh after coming to power. In West Bengal and Odisha, the saffron party managed to take the second position in panchayat elections. While West Bengal is governed by TMC, Odisha is ruled by BJD. After losing 2018 assembly elections in Hindi heartland states, BJP hopes to gain new ground in these states.
Details
Reportedly, Sambit Patra wants a ticket from Puri
Reports also claimed that BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra is eyeing the Puri constituency. Not only Patra but other spokespersons too are hoping to graduate from TV debates this time. A few days ago, disgruntled former BJD leader Baijayant Jay Panda joined BJP and was appointed the vice-president of the party. Panda had left BJD after a fallout with CM Naveen Patnaik last year.
Looking back
PM Modi's presence in UP helped BJP in 2014
Notably, PM Modi's candidature from Varanasi in 2014 helped BJP script history in the most politically volatile state. BJP won a staggering 71 out of 80 seats in UP and PM Modi defeated his rivals Arvind Kejriwal (AAP) and Ajay Rai (Congress) by a huge margin. However, when he was asked about choosing a constituency, PM Modi had replied, "Mediapersons also should get some work."