BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
One of Narendra Modi's challengers in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh has dared him to quit as Gujarat chief minister before fighting the national election. Samajwadi Party candidate Kailash Chaurasia today resigned as a state minister.
"Let Modi also quit as chief minister now for his Lok Sabha contest," Mr Chaurasia reportedly said.
The Samajwadi party had picked Mr Chaurasia much before the BJP chose Mr Modi for what is now widely believed to be a symbolic contest.
The party claims, however, that Mr Chaurasia is a strong rival for Mr Modi, who has highlighted his humble "tea-vendor" past in his campaign. Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal is also contesting from Varanasi. The Congress is yet to pick its nominee, but says it will choose someone who will give Mr Modi a credible fight.
Mr Chaurasia says he comes from a family of "paanwallahs" or betel sellers and sold paan for years before joining politics. He is confident of support from a sizeable community of Chaurasias in Varanasi, still in the business.
Mr Modi, 63, is also contesting the election from Vadodara in Gujarat, where he has been chief minister since 2001.