In politics no story is final and doors often open where they seem closed. Varun Gandhi, the scion of the second camp of the Gandhi family, has been discussed for his distance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But Varun’s meeting with him with his family on Tuesday and his open praise of the Prime Minister in the post along with the photo on X has created a stir in the political circles.
At present, only speculation can be made on what Varun’s future role will be in BJP. But this can be considered a big indication from the party that the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not completely close its doors even to the voices of dissent.
Party gave ticket till 2019 despite distance
Varun Gandhi has been MP from BJP thrice. In 2009, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Pilibhit for the first time. The party kept him in the national executive. Gave charge of West Bengal as General Secretary. In 2014, Varun made Sultanpur his constituency instead of Pilibhit. Registered victory from there also. This was the year when BJP won a landslide victory under the leadership of Narendra Modi and formed the government with full majority at the Center for the first time.
From the time of this election, Varun’s distance from the new leadership started becoming visible. In the next few days, Varun became free from party responsibilities. Despite this, in 2019, the party not only gave Lok Sabha tickets to mother and son Maneka and Varun but also allowed them to exchange seats with each other. In 2019, Maneka had won from Sultanpur and Varun had won from Pilibhit.
Picture of the meeting of PM Modi and Varun Gandhi. Photo:
The party ignored the opposing statements
Varun Gandhi’s third term as BJP MP from 2019-24 is remembered for his growing distance from the leadership and the party. He often created uncomfortable situations for the party with his statements. His stand with Rohit Vemula on many issues like farmers’ movement became a problem for the party and a reason for solace for the opposition. On the one hand, he kept attacking the BJP governments and its leadership, while on the other hand, his praise for his rivals kept showing the state of his relations with the party.
Interestingly, the BJP leadership maintained a cool attitude towards his statements. In contrast to him, Maneka Gandhi adopted a relatively balanced and restrained attitude even after not getting a place in the Union Cabinet in 2019. In 2024, the party denied Varun the ticket. Maneka once again got the ticket from Sultanpur. Although she lost this election.
In 2024, BJP did not give ticket to Varun but mother Maneka Gandhi got Sultanpur ticket.
remained silent after the ticket was issued
Amidst Varun’s increasing distance from BJP, discussions continued regarding his next political stage. After his meeting with Rahul Gandhi in Kedarnath Dham before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, there was a lot of speculation about the meeting of the two camps of the family. But as far as Rahul was concerned, he made it clear that he can hug him but our ideology is different. After being denied the ticket, Varun generally maintained silence. Still, there was speculation about his next political move.
It is believed that Varun has better relations with Priyanka than Rahul. For the last few days, some Congressmen from Amethi, the family area of the Gandhi family, who have been getting a chance to meet Priyanka, kept posting on social media speculations about Varun coming closer to the Congress.
Varun Gandhi.
The meeting with the Prime Minister with his family surprised him
Varun surprised people on Tuesday by meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his family. Describing this meeting as very special, he wrote on X that he had the good fortune to meet respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his family and receive his blessings and guidance. This is a matter of good fortune for me and it has further strengthened my belief that the Prime Minister is the true protector of the country and the people.
Varun Gandhi’s further statement shows how warm this meeting was, there is a feeling of fatherly affection and protection in your aura. Meeting you further strengthens the belief that you are the true guardian of the country and its countrymen.
Special timing of meeting
In politics, pictures and timing of such meetings have a different significance. Varun has been away from the party for a long time. Being deprived of ticket in 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Then continuous silence. Speculation about the next step. Then suddenly met Narendra Modi with his family. This cannot be considered merely a common courtesy call. The picture shared with it and the sentiment in it describing Modi as a patriarch, points towards deeper messages of politics. Varun’s ability to draw crowds cannot be denied.
Varun has been in-charge of West Bengal, where BJP has a lot at stake. BJP is making full efforts to come to power in Assam for the third time. The 2027 assembly elections of Uttar Pradesh are also not far away. Whatever may be the reasons, Varun has remained in BJP even after being deprived of ticket and disagreements. If the party activates Varun in the election campaign of West Bengal and Assam, then it will be considered that the ice has melted.
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