List of key candidates clashing in final phase of LS polls

Today, in the seventh and final phase of the general elections, polling is underway for 57 constituencies across seven states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. 

One of the most closely watched contests is in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third consecutive term in the Lok Sabha. 

Of the 13 seats up for grabs in this phase in UP, nine were won by the BJP in 2019, with two secured by its ally Apna Dal (S), while the BSP clinched two. In West Bengal, where 9 out of 42 seats are going to the polls, all won by the TMC in 2019, the electoral battle is heating up.

Here are some key candidates in the fray:

• Varanasi: PM Modi aims for reelection from this high-profile constituency, facing Congress candidate Ajay Rai, backed by the opposition INDIA bloc.
   
• Patna-Sahib: Former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad seeks reelection from this BJP stronghold.
   
• Pataliputra (Bihar): This high-stakes constituency is featuring a replay of 2014 and 2019 with RJD chief Lalu Prasad's daughter Misa Bharti taking on BJP's incumbent Ram Kripal Yadav for the third time. The BJP leader, who was previously in RJD, defeated Bharti in both 2014 and 2019, albeit with a narrow vote margin.
   
• Mandi: Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut makes her electoral debut, contesting to win the seat back for the BJP, facing Vikramaditya Singh of Congress.
   
• Karakat: Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh, contesting as an independent against NDA candidate Upendra Kushwaha.
   
• Gorakhpur: Bhojpuri and Hindi film actor Ravi Kishan aims for another term as Member of Parliament from Gorakhpur Constituency in Uttar Pradesh.
   
• Diamond Harbour: TMC's Abhishek Banerjee contests for a third term from this constituency, which has become synonymous with his name in the last decade. Mamata Banerjee's nephew takes on CPM's Pratikur Rahaman and BJP's Abhijit Das(Bobby).