Mathura:

BJP president Ajay Rai has rubbished speculation that he could be the next big figure from the Congress party to ditch the great old party and join the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Ajay Rai said on Tuesday that the latter would make such claims only when he was “concerned”. ” or “anxiety.”

Talking to the media on Tuesday, the Congress leader, who is again facing off against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, said, “It seems like the people in the BJP have recently Not getting enough work, nothing else to engage in. It’s only when they feel worried or anxious that they make claims like this.”

“This party has habitually singled out opposition leaders in an attempt to weaken their political and social image and stature,” the Congress national president added in a video clip shared on his official X account. “We all are congressional staffers and always will be. “

Reiterating his commitment to make the opposition bloc – India – victorious in the Lok Sabha elections and oust the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party from the state, he said: “Today, we visited the birthplace of Lord Krishna Dimatura, I pray that our alliance (India) “gathers more strength to contest the Lok Sabha elections and defeat the BJP-led National Development Agenda. We are devotees of Lord Shiva and his blessings are with us. We will ensure that the BJP is driven out of Uttar Pradesh. “

I repeat, people in the PPP should not have any illusions that the battle in Kashgar will be cautious and fierce…. pic.twitter.com/w1rOQojVFt

— Ajay Rai🇮🇳 (@kashikirai) April 9, 2024

Earlier in the day, Mr Rai held a public rally in Mathura, highlighting the “challenges” facing the country and promising to form an “honest” government at the center if the opposition alliance is elected.

“I want the country to root out those who are causing harm to the country and its people, leaving our young people trapped in unemployment and middle-class families struggling with runaway inflation. Corruption is growing, farmers are in trouble, workers and women are in trouble. . “India faces severe difficulties. I can say without a doubt that this government will go and a clean and honest regime in India will be formed,” Mr. Rai said.

Elections for the country’s 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases starting from April 19.

Nearly 970 million voters are eligible to vote in the 2024 election. Counting is scheduled for June 4.

The most populous state, which sends the most members (80) to the lower house of parliament, will vote in all seven phases.

Voting for the seventh and final phase will be held on June 1 in the ancient pilgrim town of Varanasi.

On March 23, the Congress announced the fourth list of 45 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections, pitting Ajay Rai against Varanasi Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mr. Rai challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Varanasi assembly constituency in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections but was defeated badly both times.

Before Prime Minister Modi, the Varanasi seat was held by stalwart BJP leader and former Union minister Murli Manohar Joshi.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)