New Delhi, Mar 31(IT): There are indications that Priyanka Gandhi can be a joint-Opposition candidate to take on Prime Minister Modi in Varanasi. Sources told India Today that recent hints from Priyanka Gandhi were in all seriousness and it was as much a message to mahagathbandhan as it was to her own party,

Though she is testing waters still, something is surely cooking considering Priyanka Gandhi's admission that she can contest from anywhere her party wants her to. This statement came thrice during her recent tour to Ayodhya.

In addition to her own plunge in Lok Sabha battle, her statement is also an indication to the Mahagathbandhan that contests in Varanasi and Lucknow are prestige battles.

Back-channel talks are on and the Congress is waiting for a message from the Mahagathbandhan, a source told India Today.

In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi had polled 5,81,122 votes. Difference between his tally and that of his opponents was of about 2 lakh votes.

The Congress believes that if the Opposition had fielded a common candidate, it would have been tough for Modi to register this victory. So according to the Congress, it is logical to field a joint candidate this time around.