PM Narendra Modi to contest from Varanasi for Lok Sabha 2019 polls: Sources

PM Narendra Modi will contest from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, say highly placed sources in the party.

The news comes after Congress inducted Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra as General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh East.

The BJP will also face the coalition of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh. 

PM Modi has carried out several developmental work for Varanasi. One of them is India's first multi-modal terminal on the river Ganges which was inaugurated on November 12 and received the country's first container cargo transported on inland waterways from Kolkata. 

The first consignment containing food and beverage had set sail from Kolkata in the last week of October 2018. 

READ | PM Modi Inaugurates India's First Multi-Modal Inland Waterways Hub In Varanasi

PM Narendra Modi during an interview to ANI's Editor Smita Prakash replied to a question on his plans for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

PM Modi who had contested and won from two Lok Sabha seats during the previous Lok Sabha elections in 2014, one from Varanasi and other from Vadodara, was asked where he will be fighting the 2019 polls from, and whether he will fight from Puri as well as Varanasi.

As per reports, PM Modi and the BJP are keen to increase their presence in Odisha. It has been speculated that PM Modi is likely to contest from Puri Odisha. 

PM Modi after being asked whether he will be fighting for Varanasi or now was Puri also an option for him responded cheekily, " Media persons also should get some work".

There have been speculations arising after PM Narendra Modi received invites to Odisha that he may choose to contest from Puri.

PM MODI INTERVIEW | WATCH: Will PM Modi Contest From Varanasi In The 2019 Lok Sabha Elections? Here's His Answer