A new book examines why Narendra Modi struggled for a big win in Varanasi in the 2024 elections

“Had my sister [Priyanka] contested the Varanasi seat, the prime minister would have been defeated by 2 to 3 lakh votes.”

If Congress had shown Courage and gambled by pitting Priyanka Gandhi against Narendra Modi to contest from Varanasi, who is to say what turn India would have taken after 4 June 2024. But Congress did not do that, and the Modi era continues. By the time Rahul Gandhi made this statement a week after the results were declared, Modi was ensconced in the saddle, though not so comfortably. Bharatiya Janata Party couldn’t manage a clear majority on its own, and while Modi was re-elected for a third term as the prime minister, his sheen was gone. The RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat seemed to be telling Modi to mend his ways when he said that a true sevak does not have “ahankara” (arrogance) and works without causing any hurt to others.

Yes, the Congress did not show an iron will, but the people of Varanasi were ready to do the impossible. Ajai Rai, who was a lightweight candidate, lost by only 1.52 lakh votes. Instead of soaring to new heights, Modi’s victory margin shrunk. Bharatiya Janata Party had wanted Modi to win by more...

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