New Delhi: The Congress has decided to field local legislator Ajai Rai against BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in Varanasi.
Mr Rai will also take on Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal in the most sought after political battle.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala on Monday said, "Ajay Rai is connected with grassroots, has fought a number of elections successfully, is currently a sitting Congress MLA and is, in the party's opinion, the best candidate in Varanasi."
Speculation was rife that either Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh or trade minister Anand Sharma would contest against Mr Modi. However, Congress has sealed Ajay Rai from Varanasi.
"The party has taken a comprehensive view and chosen a grassroots leader," Mr Surjewala added.
A former BJP man, Mr Rai had contested the 2009 Lok Sabha elections as a Samajwadi Party candidate against BJP's Murli Manohar Joshi
In Vadodara, the Congress has fielded Madhusudan Mistry against Mr Modi, who is seen close to Rahul Gandhi. Varanasi votes on May 12.
