Lok Sabha polls: Varanasi controversy echoes in BJP CEC meeting

NEW DELHI: The reported controversy over who will contest from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency today found its echo at the meeting of BJP's Central Election Committee meeting, with heated discussion taking place on the issue.

Sources said some members sought clarity as to whether senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi would be ousted from there and the party's Prime Ministerial candidates Narendra Modi would contest from the seat in Uttar Pradesh.

Among those who are believed to have been keen to make the point are Joshi himself as well as Sushma Swaraj.

Swaraj also reportedly raised the issue of the entry of "tainted" leaders into NDA-fold, amidst her open opposition to the merger of BSR Congress in Karnataka and Venod Sharma seeking to join BJP's ally Haryana Janhit Party.

There have been reports about Joshi being unhappy over attempts by some sections of the party to press Modi to contest from Varanasi, currently represented by him.

Though there is no official word on this, Joshi is asserting his right to contest from the seat.