New Delhi, March 30: Sacked Border Security Force (BSF) constable Tej Bahadur Yadav, who had went public over "bad food" being allegedly served to the troopers, has announced that he would be contesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2019.

Yadav, who was suspended following a three-month probe in April 2017, said his intent to enter the electoral fray is not to win or lose. His candidature, claimed the former soldier, is aimed at exposing the alleged "corruption within the forces". Over 100 Tamil Nadu Farmers to Contest Against PM Narendra Modi in Varanasi.

The sacked jawan, while speaking to the Hindustan Times, said he wants to challenge the Prime Minister as he is seeking "votes in the name of our jawans", but has allegedly refrained from inquiring whether the food being being served to BSF troopers is substandard.

"It is to highlight how this government has failed the forces, especially paramilitary forces. PM Modi seeks votes in the name of our jawans but has done nothing for them. Our paramilitary jawans (CRPF men) killed recently in Pulwama were not even given martyr status by this government,” he was quoted as saying by HT.

Yadav told the English daily that his campaign in Varanasi is being planned by a group of ex-servicemen and farmers. The goal is to maximise support for their cause, he added.

The ex-BSF constable had first shot to headlines in January 2017, after he uploaded videos on social media showing "poor quality" food being served to the troopers stationed along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu & Kashmir. Following a summary court-martial, he was sacked on charge of "indiscipline".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 30, 2019 06:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).