Gujarat BJP wants Narendra Modi to contest from state

GANDHINAGAR: The BJP's Gujarat unit is keen on Chief Minister Narendra Modi contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from his home state as well in addition to Varanasi, a constituency that he has chosen to further his prime ministerial bid by zeroing in on the holy city in UP.

Local BJP members said Modi could turn to Ahmedabad East or Gandhinagar, adding that the party was aiming to win all 26 seats in the state. “It is a question of Gujarati pride and people in the state also want him to represent them,” said a local leader while claiming that Modi’s candidature from Varanasi would benefit the party in both UP and Bihar, besides dispelling the impression that he is just a regional leader.

BJP spokesman Vijay Rupani had said last week that Modi would contest from his home state as well. However, IK Jadeja, the spokesman of Gujarat BJP had refrained from commenting on Modi’s candidature from the state.

“By declaring Narendrabhai’s candidature from Varanasi, the party high command has recognised the popular sentiment across UP regarding Narendrabhai and the state unit welcomes the announcement wholeheartedly. The state parliamentary board is yet to finalise its recommendations,” Jadeja had said.