Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday announced his decision to take on BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in this temple city
Addressing a rally in Varanasi this evening after a day-long roadshow, Kejriwal appealed the mass for support to defeat Modi.
While declaring his candidature, he attacked Modi, accusing him of being an "agent" of industrial houses and said that a myth had been perpetuated about the development in Gujarat.
He also targeted Rahul Gandhi, saying the 'shahenshah' (emperor) of Congress was also like Modi.
Kejriwal, who had declared earlier that he would contest against Modi from wherever he is fielded, announced his decision after seeking the views of his supporters at the rally in his typical style.
"I want to ask you whether I should contest from Varanasi against Narendra Modi. I am ready to accept this challenge," the former Delhi Chief Minister announced after a day-long road show in this constituency of Uttar Pradesh.
"Why do I want to contest from Varanasi, it is because at a time when leaders look for safe seats to fight elections, I take on them to defeat them," he added.
Attacking Modi, Kejriwal said that a myth about Modi having developed Gujarat was being perpetuated by a section of media while in reality the BJP leader was gifting away farmers' land to industrialists and followed policies which were against small businessmen.