Hitting back at Narendra Modi, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said the party wanted him to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Nanded due to the anti-incumbency factor and that he had the backing of his family including sitting MP and brother-in-law Bhaskarrao Patil.

"They (my family) are with me (for campaigning). I was surprised over his (Modi's) remarks. The sitting MP from here himself said he does not want to contest (the polls).

Party took the decision considering the anti-incumbency factor," Chavan told select journalists at his residence. "I was consulted by the party high-command before taking the decision (on giving the ticket)," he stated.