Kejriwal to take on Modi in Varanasi

Arvind Kejriwal today accepted the challenge to contest against Narendra Modi in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from this temple city, accusing the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate of being "corrupt" and an "agent" of industrial houses.
Ending weeks of suspense on whether he will directly take on Modi, Kejriwal made the announcement at a rally here, asserting he wanted to "defeat corrupt people".
"I am ready to face this challenge, but I will need your support. I don't have money to contest election. And like Madan Mohan Malviya, who built the Benaras Hindu University, seeking alms from people, even I shall have to do the same way," he said after the crowd roared in affirmation when he asked whether he should fight Modi.

ISeveral top Aam Aadmi Party leaders flanked him at the rally at Benia Bagh in the central part of the city this evening after a day-long roadshow during which an egg and ink was thrown at him at two places. Among the AAP leaders were Manish Sisodia, Somnath Bharti, Kumar Vishwas, Gopal Rai and Surender Singh.
Targeting Modi, the AAP chief said the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate "will do anything to cross the 272 figure" required in the Lok Sabha to come to power.
Accusing Modi of being an "agent" of industrial houses, Kejriwal warned that if he comes to power, "land will be snatched from farmers and given to Adanis and Ambanis at dirt cheap rates. And farmers will have no option but to commit suicide."

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.

He said 60,000 small and medium enterprises in Gujarat had shut shop, all aimed at benefitting big industrialists.
He also targeted Rahul Gandhi, saying the 'shahenshah' (emperor) of Congress was also like Modi.
"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.