Varun Gandhi’s absence from the BJP candidate list for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has stirred up political speculation, particularly in the Pilibhit constituency, indicating a significant rift between the outspoken parliamentarian and the party leadership. Sources indicate that Varun Gandhi’s vocal criticisms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies have caused discomfort among party higher-ups, resulting in his exclusion from the electoral lineup.
The decision has fueled conjecture about Gandhi’s potential political maneuvers, with speculation rife regarding his possible candidacy as a Samajwadi Party (SP) nominee or as an independent candidate. Such a move could potentially disrupt the BJP’s aspirations to secure all 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh.
Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury too extended an invitation to him to join the grand old party. Chowdhury described Varun as a “dabang neta (strong leader)” and said he is a learned man with a clean image.
“He is a dabang neta and a very educated man. He has a clean image. Varun Gandhi has a connection with the Gandhi family. This is why the BJP denied him a ticket (for Lok Sabha polls). I think he should come (join the Congress), we will be very happy,” Chowdhury, the leader of the Congress party in the outgoing Lok Sabha, said.
Varun and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi are cousins. Varun, a two-term Lok Sabha MP from Pilibhit, has often aired views deemed critical of his party’s governments at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh.
However, the BJP has renominated his mother Maneka Gandhi from Sultanpur. Varun has been substituted with former Congress member Jitin Prasada to run for the Pilibhit seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh.
Renowned for his candid opinions, Gandhi has been a vocal opponent of several key initiatives of the Modi government, including its agricultural policies, retirement schemes, and employment programs. His dissenting stance has resonated with opposition factions, amplifying discussions on contentious issues and injecting vigor into political discourse.
The SP’s offer of a seat to Gandhi has added an intriguing dimension to the unfolding narrative. Party leaders, including national President Akhilesh Yadav and national general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav, have hinted at a possible induction if the BJP fails to nominate him. However, Gandhi’s response to this overture remains uncertain, given his longstanding association and ideological alignment with the BJP.
A recent comment by Akhilesh Yadav indicating the SP’s open-door policy for Gandhi underscores the potential for a realignment of political allegiances. Meanwhile, Bhagwat Saran Gangwar has been announced as the SP’s official candidate for Pilibhit, though he has expressed willingness to step aside if Gandhi joins the fray.
In a surprising move, the BJP has nominated Jitin Prasada, the Public Works Department Minister in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet, as its candidate for Pilibhit, replacing Varun Gandhi. Additionally, Meneka Gandhi, Varun’s mother, has been tasked with contesting from Sultanpur, the constituency she successfully represented in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
The Gandhi family’s stronghold over the Pilibhit parliamentary constituency has been undeniable for over three decades. Beginning with former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi’s victory in the 1989 elections, the family has maintained a formidable presence in the region. Varun Gandhi succeeded his mother in representing Pilibhit, solidifying the family’s legacy in Indian politics.
However, the decision to deny Varun Gandhi a ticket for the upcoming elections marks a significant departure from tradition. In 2014, he was shifted to Sultanpur while his mother contested and won from Pilibhit. Nonetheless, Gandhi reclaimed the seat in 2019, securing a decisive victory by a staggering margin of over 2.5 lakh votes, reaffirming the family’s enduring dominance.
Gandhi’s commentary on social and political issues has often made headlines. In December 2021, he criticized the government’s handling of job opportunities and recruitment processes, highlighting the plight of millions of unemployed youth. Similarly, his response to the withdrawal of the contentious agricultural laws and his condemnation of communal narratives in the aftermath of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence showcased his willingness to challenge prevailing narratives.Moreover, Gandhi’s advocacy for government employees’ rights and his call to reevaluate pension schemes have underscored his commitment to social justice and equitable governance.
As the political landscape evolves and alliances shift, Varun Gandhi’s exclusion from the BJP ticket raises questions about the party’s internal dynamics and its approach to dissenting voices within its ranks. It also presents Gandhi with a pivotal decision regarding his political future and ideological alignment.
