Union minister Kapil Sibal has dared Narendra Modi to contest next month's national election from the Muslim-dominated Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. (File photo)
Union minister Kapil Sibal has dared Narendra Modi to contest next month's national election from the Muslim-dominated Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh.
"I am curious. If there's a strong Modi wave, how come he needs a safe seat? If he's so sure of Muslim support, why not stand from Azamgarh?" Mr Sibal taunted the BJP's prime ministerial candidate in a tweet today.
Azamgarh in eastern Uttar Pradesh has drawn attention over a number of terror-linked arrests that are seen to have deeply alienated its Muslim population in recent years. It has also been a must-visit constituency for political parties who have tried to win the support of the minority community in India's most populous and politically vital state.
The BJP is yet to announce Mr Modi's seats amid a reported conflict among its top leaders over seats in Uttar Pradesh.
Many in the party believe he should contest from Varanasi to draw more voters in the state that sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. But the current MP, Murli Manohar Joshi, has made it clear to the party that he does not want to shift.
Mr Modi is also expected to contest from either Ahmedabad East or Vadodra in Gujarat, his home state.