New Delhi:
The Congress today failed to announce its candidate against Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, which is set to be the most high profile battleground in next month's national election.
The party's sixth list had 16 names for eight states, including Uttar Pradesh. (
See the full list here)
Last week, the Congress said it would put up a "formidable" candidate against the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, and hoped that it would win the support of "like-minded" parties against communal forces.
Two possible candidates reportedly in the running are Rajesh Mishra, a former Congress MP from Varanasi, and Ajay Rai, a legislator from Pindra, which is a part of the constituency.
Sources say both are seen as candidates who can put up a good fight against Mr Modi, but the party has not ruled out fielding an outsider from the holy town.
On Sunday, Mr Kejriwal ended all speculation and said he would contest against Mr Modi.
The Aam Aadmi Party leader is expected to announce his candidature at a public meeting tomorrow. He had earlier said he would take the opinion of the people of Varanasi to decide whether to contest from there.