Congress fighting to win, not for silver medal in Varanasi: Ghulam Nabi Azad

VARANASI: Elated by Rahul Gandhi's impressive roadshow here, Congress today claimed "100 per cent" success for its nominee Ajai Rai and dismissed suggestions that it is fighting for a "silver medal" in Varanasi polls.

"100 per cent chance...I am not bothered who is our competitors. We are just here to campaign for our party and see the success of our candidate," senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said when asked how much confidence the party has about the success of Rai, who is taking on BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal.

When asked whether the Congress is fighting for a silver medal, he said, "That might be between BJP and Kejriwal. So far as Congress party is concerned, we are fighting this election to win."

He said, "the Congress party is seeking support from all sections of society, the Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians... I am sure we will get support from all sections of society."

Azad said it is not for the first time Rahul is coming to Varanasi.

"He had held a road show in 2004 Parliament elections and in subsequent Assembly polls also he had held roadshows here. This is third or fourth time, Rahul Gandhi is holding roadshow in Varanasi," he said.

Another party leader Raj Babbar in an obvious dig at Modi and Kejriwal said that those who gathered in the roadshow were all local people and no one has been brought from outside.