Modi quits Vadodara, retains Varanasi

The Prime Minister had won Vadodara with a near record margin of 5.7 lakh, which was the biggest in this Lok Sabha polls. BJP has won all the 26 seats in Gujarat.

In Varanasi, Modi was challenged by the Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, whose entry into the fray had turned it into one of the most keenly watched battles of these elections. In the end, however, Modi's nearest challenger Kejriwal was swept away when he lost by more than 3.7 lakh votes.

Modi's retention of Varanasi seat indicates the importance BJP attaches to the state, which will have Assembly elections in 2017, as it wants to capture power there.  It is also be seen as a thanks giving to a state which was quite crucial in BJP's march to power at the Centre.

Modi's contest from Varanasi was scripted by his close aide Amit Shah, BJP General Secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh as part of his strategy to ensure a big win for the party in the key state. Apart from winning 71 seats, BJP also helped its ally Apna Dal win 2 seats.