Varanasi Lok Sabha Seat: The VVIP Battleground in Uttar Pradesh

In 2024, the number of candidates vying for this seat has dropped to just six, the lowest in recent history. Initially, 41 candidates filed their nominations, but 33 were rejected, and one withdrew, leaving seven candidates in the fray, including PM Modi and the opposition’s Ajay Rai.

In the 2014 elections, Varanasi had 42 candidates, with Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party finishing second.

In 2019, 26 candidates contested, with Shalini Yadav of the Samajwadi Party coming in second.

In the previous elections, Modi’s dominance in Varanasi was evident, securing a significant victory margin. In 2014, he clinched the seat with a commanding 56.37% of the vote share, a trend that amplified in 2019 with 63.6% of the vote share.

This time, the competition is notably reduced, with only six candidates remaining in the fray against Modi. This year, the number of candidates has not even reached double digits.

Varanasi is considered a stronghold of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has consistently won this seat since 1991, except for a brief interlude in 2004 when Congress’s Rajesh Kumar Mishra won. The constituency has a diverse voter base, predominantly upper-caste communities such as Brahmins, Bhumihars, and Jaiswals, alongside significant Muslim and OBC populations.

Ajay Rai (Congress-Samajwadi Party Alliance Candidate)Ajay Rai, the Uttar Pradesh Congress President, is the primary challenger to PM Modi, representing the INDIA alliance. Rai, who has a robust political background, previously contested the Varanasi seat in 2009, 2014, and 2019, but finished third each time. With the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance, he is seen as a stronger contender this time. Prominent figures like Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi and Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav have campaigned in his support.

Athar Jamal Lari (Bahujan Samaj Party)

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded 70-year-old Athar Jamal Lari, who has been active in socialist politics since the 1960s. Lari has held various positions in the Janata Party and contested the Varanasi seat in 1984, albeit unsuccessfully. He also contested the Varanasi Cantonment Assembly seat in 1991 as a Janata Dal candidate and finished second. In 2004, he ran from Apna Dal and came third. In the 2022 elections, he supported the Samajwadi Party and is now contesting from the BSP.

Kolisetti Shiva Kumar (Yug Tulsi Party)

Kolisetti Shiva Kumar of the Yug Tulsi Party is another candidate. Originally from Hyderabad, Kumar is a former board member of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam and an advocate for cow protection, owning three gaushalas sheltering 1,500 cows. His campaign focuses on declaring the cow as India’s national animal.

Gagan Prakash Yadav (Apna Dal Kameravadi)

Representing Apna Dal Kameravadi, 39-year-old Gagan Prakash Yadav is contesting with the slogan PDM (Pichhra, Dalit, and Muslim). He has the support of Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM, with Owaisi himself campaigning for Yadav in Varanasi.

Independent Candidates Dinesh Kumar Yadav and Sanjay Kumar

Two independent candidates, Dinesh Kumar Yadav and Sanjay Kumar Tiwari, are also contesting against PM Modi. Dinesh Kumar, active in local politics for 15 years, aims to preserve democracy in India. Sanjay Kumar, involved in social welfare work in Delhi, follows Gandhian principles and aims to bring those values into the political arena.

The 2024 elections in Varanasi are shaping up to be a critical test of political influence, with Prime Minister Modi facing a range of challengers from diverse backgrounds and agendas. As the voters prepare to cast their ballots, the outcome in this high-profile constituency will be closely watched and analyzed.