New Delhi: While Rahul Gandhi is more or less set to become the Congress party chief soon, rumours are rife that he may also bring his estranged cousin and BJP’s MP Varun Gandhi into the party folds.
Varun represents Sultanpur in the Lok Sabha and the local Congress leaders from Uttar Pradesh feel that Varun has not been given his due in the BJP and has been sidelined mainly because he has his own opinion, which does not go down well with the BJP.
Varun, son of former youth icon Sanjay Gandhi and grandson of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is said to be a major contender for the CM’s post in Uttar Pradesh, but many believe that his political career will never take off if he remains in the saffron party. The Congress leader says that many had raised Varun’s name as a prospective chief minister candidate in UP after the BJP won a record number of seats in the Assembly elections, but he was ignored in favour of Yogi Adityanath.
As per insiders Varun may be inducted into Congress Working Committee ahead of 2019 parliamentary elections. Notably, Varun has a significant following in Pilibhit-Sultanpur-Lakhimpur Khiri and its surrounding areas and if he joins the Congress, this could be a big boost to both Rahul and Congress who are struggling to get a toehold in UP beyond the family boroughs of Amethi and Raebareli.
Varun’s absence is evident as he has not been participating in any party meetings or rallies called by the BJP.
However, many political analysts have said that it is unlikely that Varun would join the Congress as his mother Maneka Gandhi is a prominent BJP leader and also a member in the Modi cabinet. Considering her relationship with her co-sister Sonia Gandhi, she may prevent son Varun from joining the Congress.
