Priyanka Gandhi speaking to reports in Wayanad, Kerala
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday said she would be happy to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi if asked to by her brother and party president Rahul Gandhi.
"I am ready to contest and will be happy to - from Varanasi if party president [Rahul Gandhi] asks me to," Priyanka told reports in Wayanad.
For the unversed, Congress' arch-rival Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate from Varanasi is Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Earlier, in an interview with The Hindu, Rahul was asked whether Priyanka would contest against PM Modi from the Varanasi seat which he neither confirmed nor denied.
Rahul Gandhi, instead, said he would like to maintain the "suspense" over the matter.
Priyanka had earlier raised speculation regarding contesting from Varanasi. On March 28, urged by Congress workers to contest from Raebareli, she said, "Why not Varanasi?"
On April 16, Robert Vadra said that Priyanka was ready to fight against PM Modi from Varanasi.
“Priyanka is ready to fight from Varanasi. She is ready for whatever party decides. People of the country want change. They want a new leader,” Robert Vadra told reporters.
PM Modi is all set to file nomination from Varanasi, on April 26. He is seeking a second term from Varanasi and will hold a roadshow in Varanasi on April 25, a day ahead of filing his nomination papers.
Voting in Varanasi will be held on May 19. Election results will be declared on May 23.
