Varanasi: Arvind Kejrival on Tuesday faced protests allegedly by BJP workers after he arrived in Varanasi to kickstart his campaign against Narendra Modi.
Kejriwal, who arrived here by Shivganga express train, faced an angry mob of BJP workers at different points in the town shouting slogans of "Kejriwal vapas jao" and "Kejriwal murdabad".
The AAP leader arrived here today morning with around 50 workers and is scheduled to address a rally later in the day to ask the people of the constituency whether he should take on BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi who is contesting from this seat.
He first faced opposition by the BJP workers at Tagore town colony in Bhojubir locality where he halted at a party worker's residence and later faced similar opposition at Baba Kal Bhairon temple in Vishesehwarganj locality.
The AAP workers retaliated by raising anti-Modi slogans, a party official said.
AAP convener is expected to announce plans on Tuesday to stand against election frontrunner and BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in the holy city of Varanasi.
Kejriwal arrived in Varanasi on an overnight train from New Delhi and will hold a rally on Tuesday.
AAP’s national spokesperson Deepak Bajpai told AFP, “He has said very clearly that he will make an announcement about his candidature today.”
“He has said that he will ask the crowd at his rally in Varanasi, and if they feel that he should, he will.”
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior figure within the AAP said he was "confident" Kejriwal would decide to challenge Modi.
“Given the preparation... I feel that Kejriwal will announce his candidature against Modi,” the source told AFP.
Although analysts say there is little likelihood of Kejriwal beating Modi, a challenge in such a high-profile constituency will guarantee maximum media coverage for him and his party.
The AAP, which is standing in its first general election, gained control of the Delhi state assembly in December after it rode a wave of anger about a series of corruption scandals.
Kejriwal himself briefly became Delhi chief minister after he unseated the incumbent Sheila Dikshit of the ruling Congress party in her constituency.
