It's local vs outsiders: Ajai Rai

Aiming to strike a chord with the local voters, Congress candidate from Varanasi Ajai Rai has termed the contest in the holy city a “battle between locals and outsiders”.

Rai, who was given a warm welcome on his arrival Tuesday evening in Varanasi after being made the Congress nominee from the seat, said his rivals Narendra Modi and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal are “outsiders”.

“People of Varanasi have now understood that the outsiders would not be able to do anything for them...they come here only to win votes and disappear...I am the son of the soil,” Rai said.

Terming Varanasi’s culture as “composite”, he said people in the city would never accept “divisive” politics.

Referring to the “har har Modi” chant coined by local BJP cadre, Rai said the election in Varanasi is between ‘Har har Modi’ and ‘Har har Mahadev’.

He also rejected notions that the delay in announcement of his candidature has robbed him of time and momentum. “I have been preparing to contest for so many years...I am familiar with the city...that would not be a problem at all,” he said.

Local Congress unit put up a show of unity in welcoming the candidate. Supporters of local leader and a ticket aspirant Rajesh Mishra were among those who welcomed Rai.

“There is disappointment among us, but we will work together,” said a Mishra supporter.
UP Congress leaders said Rai would probably get the support of over one lakh bhumihars and two lakh Brahmin voters, besides  muslims who number nearly three lakh in the constituency.