Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal battling for second position in 2014 poll: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Bharatiya Janata Party vice president Muktar Abbas Naqvi on Saturday said the battle for second position in the 2014 general elections is between the Congress Party and the Aam Aadmi Party, suggesting that there was no doubt in his mind that the BJP will emerge as the top contender to form the next government.

Talking to ANI, Naqvi described the poll competition for second spot as being between Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi as the "Maalik" or "Master", and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal as the "Mohra" or "Pawn".

He also said that as far as the poll scene or outcome in Uttar Pradesh was concerned, it was now evident that both the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) and the opposition Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) are suffering for extending support to and saving a corrupt Congress regime.

Naqvi's comment came as Rahul Gandhi is campaigning in Varanasi today for Congress candidate Ajay Rai, who is pitted against BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal.

The roadshow started from Gol Gadda area of Varanasi and will extend for about 11 kilometres. The Congress supporters had already gathered before the Congress vice president arrived.Senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mukul Wasnik are accompanying Rahul.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is also scheduled to hold a rally in Varanasi today.