READ Arvind Kejriwal's euphoric reaction to Samajwadi Party fielding ex-BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav against PM Modi in Varanasi constituency

In a massive development, Samajwadi Party on Monday fielded ex-BSF trooper Tej Bahadur Yadav against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi Lok Sabha consituency. 

Responding to the development, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was notably PM Modi's contender in 2014 Lok Sabha elections but lost due to a wide margin, took to Twitter and extended congratulatory wishes to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.

"Akhilesh ji, many congratulations to you. I salute Tej Bahadur for contesting against the Prime Minister. On one side there is the man who sacrificed his life for the nation and then lost his job due to the fight for his right, one the other side, there is the man who asks for votes in the name of the martyrdom of soldiers and snatching away the jobs of those who protest against the system," Kejriwal wrote to Twitter replying to Samajwadi Party's tweet. 

The tweet read: "Samajwadi Party is giving to ticket to fight Varanasi elections to Army's courageous soldier Tej Bahadur Yadav.

READ | In Last Minute Swap, Samajwadi Party Names Ex-BSF Jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav Who Had Complained About Forces' Rations As Its Varanasi Candidate Against PM Modi

In a last minute change, the Samajwadi Party replaced its previous candidate Shalini Yadav from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to fight against PM Narendra Modi and gave the ticket to Tej Bahadur Yadav.

The ex-BSF jawan, a native of Rewari in Haryana, had posted a video online about five months back, complaining about poor quality food being served to the troops on the icy heights along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. He was dismissed by a Summary Security Force Court (SSFC) in 2017 where he was tried on two counts -- of making "false allegations" on social media regarding the quality of food and carrying two mobile phones while on operational duty. 

The ex-BSF soldier is set to contest the 2019 polls against BJP candidate PM Modi and Congress' Ajay Rai in Varanasi constituency. 

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