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It was her decision: Sam Pitroda on Congress not fielding Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Varanasi

Pitroda’s remarks came a day after the Congress named Ajay Rai its nominee for the crucial Varanasi constituency.

It was her decision: Sam Pitroda on Congress not fielding Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Varanasi

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (Photo: Twitter/@IYC_UPEast)

Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda on Friday said that it was Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who took the decision of not contesting from Varanasi.

Pitroda’s remarks came a day after the Congress named Ajay Rai its nominee for the crucial Varanasi constituency from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is contesting for the second time.

“It (not contesting from Varanasi) was Priyanka-ji’s decision. She has other responsibilities. She thought rather than concentrating on one seat she should focus on the job she has at hand. So, that decision was her and she decided it,” Pitroda said.

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Interestingly, speculations of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting from Varanasi were rife up to the last minute.

The 47-year-old younger sister of party chief Rahul Gandhi had on 21 April in Kerala’s Wayanad said that she is ready to contest Lok Sabha elections 2019 from Varanasi but only if her brother gives the nod.

When asked if she is ready to fight PM Modi on his turf, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “If Congress President asks me to contest, I will be happy to contest.”

While Congress workers had been requesting the party high command to field Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Varanasi, Rahul Gandhi had not given any positive sign.

The 48-year-old Gandhi was reportedly clear that the primary role of his sister is to help Congress win the 2022 UP state elections.

Ajay Rai was the Congress candidate against PM Modi in 2014 as well. He had then finished third in the contest, after Modi and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal.

On the day the Congress named Rai, PM Modi held a massive roadshow in Varanasi during which he paid tributes to Bharat Ratna Madan Mohan Malviya and performed the evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedha Ghat.

Earlier today, the PM filed his nomination papers from the constituency in the presence of top NDA leaders.

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