Putting to rest speculation over Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi contesting against PM Narendra Modi from Varanasi, the Congress on Thursday fielded Ajay Rai from the seat. Ajay had finished third in the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, after PM Modi and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal.

Earlier, there were speculations that Priyanka may contest against Modi from Varanasi. Notably, Priyanka had also expressed her willingness to contest from Varanasi. "I will be happy to contest in Varanasi if my brother Rahul Gandhi insists," Priyanka had said.

Varanasi goes to polls in the final phase of general election on May 19. Ajay Rai had secured only 68,080 votes in Varanasi where more than 10 lakh people.