Togadia likely to contest against Modi in Varanasi

Firebrand saffron leader Praveen Togadia on Tuesday hinted at contesting from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat against prime minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking to reporters here, Togadia, who had floated Hindustan Nirman Dal (HND), said that his supporters wanted him to fight against Modi. ''I will take a decision in this regard after talking to my party workers and supporters,'' he said.

He also released the list of 26 candidates of his party for Uttar Pradesh in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Togadia lashed out against Modi for what he alleged ''not fulfilling'' the promises made to the people of the country during the 2014 general elections.

''Modi did not visit Ayodhya during his tenure.....it seems he is afraid of Lord Rama...BJP remembers Rama only during the polls,'' he added.

He also criticised the Modi government's handling of Pakistan and said that patriotism was more important than nationalism.

Stating that BJP had converted into Congress, Togadia rued the treatment being meted out to senior leaders like L.K.Advani and others.