NEW DELHI: BJP leader Agnimitra Paul has challenged Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha elections from Varanasi.

“ Mamata Banerjee is rooting for Priyanka Gandhi to contest against Modi from Varanasi. She is thus escaping from the challenge. It should be Mamata who should contest against Modi from Varanasi as she is a PM aspirant” Agnimitra Paul opined.

Agnimitra’s shrewd suggestion comes just days after Mamata Banerjee asked the 'India' front to speed up seat-sharing discussions for the Lok Sabha elections. It is reported that the Trinamool may cooperate with the opposition parties including the Congress in the seat-sharing talks. But there are also reports that the CPM is preparing to contest alone in Bengal denying the benevolence from TMC.