Vadodara Cong nominee Ravat withdraws from fray

Congress nominee Narendra Ravat, who was the consensus candidate elected through primary for Vadodara Lok Sabha seat to take on BJP's PM pick Narendra Modi, today withdrew his candidature.
"Before withdrawing my candidature, I discussed it with the party leadership, including state Congress in-charge Gurudas Kamat, Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and other senior leaders," Ravat told PTI.
"Though I was elected through primary which was the pet project of Rahul, I am withdrawing from the fray as equations are changed after Modi chose Vadodara as the second Lok sabha seat to contest from," the city unit president said.
Ravat was considered a political greenhorn and some sections within Congress had demanded his replacement. However, Congress remained firm on its choice until tonight when the party leadership announced Madhusudan Mistry, a close aide of Rahul, as challenger to Modi from the constituency.