BJP chief Varun Gandhi was dropped by the get together from the Pilibhit seat. (File picture: PTI)
Sources say that BJP’s proposal stemmed from constant media reviews that the Congress is severe about fielding Priyanka Gandhi from the seat.
Bharatiya Janata Social gathering (BJP) chief and cousin of Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi — Varun Gandhi – has rejected his get together’s provide to struggle the Lok Sabha election from Gandhi bastion Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, in response to sources. Sources additionally added that Varun Gandhi had been “contemplating” the provide for over per week after the get together got here up with the proposal. BJP’s proposal stemmed from constant media reviews that the Congress is severe about fielding Priyanka Gandhi from the seat.
Sources stated greater than per week again, Varun Gandhi, who was dropped from his Pilibhit seat, was approached by the BJP management. Sources additionally stated that UP BJP, which was instrumental in him not getting a ticket from Pilibhit, was on board with the concept. When approached, Varun Gandhi sought time to “assume over”, stated sources and solely not too long ago, he rejected that provide citing his unwillingness to wade into an electoral struggle that’s certain to get private and murky.
The BJP remained tight-lipped in regards to the growth. BJP’s UP Vice President Vijay Bahadur Pathak had a easy reply, “I don’t know about. In any case I’m not authorised to talk. Ask BJP spokespersons.” When requested about the identical, a BJP spokesperson refused to touch upon it and requested to not be named on even him declining to touch upon this matter.
One of many causes the BJP was hopeful about Varun’s nod was that his mom Maneka Gandhi fought, although unsuccessfully, in opposition to Rajiv Gandhi — father of Priyanka Gandhi – within the 1984 election. She has been on document in regards to the alleged ill-treatment meted out to her and younger Varun Gandhi by the Gadhis after his father Sanjay Gandhi died.
Jitin Prasada is preventing from Pilibhit on a BJP ticket whereas Varun’s mom Maneka Gandhi stays in her seat — Sultanpur.
Rae Bareli, a seat that was occupied for 4 consecutive phrases by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, fell vacant after she selected to go to Parliament via the Rajya Sabha route this time. Whereas the Congress hasn’t introduced candidates of both Amethi or Rae Bareli, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, in a current interview, claimed a “shock” is in retailer for each seats.
Earlier than Sonia, former PM Indira Gandhi had received from Rae Bareli thrice. The seat additionally elected Indira’s husband Feroze Gandhi twice — in 1952 and 1957.
It’s, due to this fact, extensively presumed the Congress needs a ‘Gandhi’ to contest from this household bastion and Priyanka is purported to be forward within the race, one thing that was hinted at by senior Congressman AK Antony as properly.
Whereas Rae Bareli continues to be a Congress stronghold, its ‘maintain’ has been weakening through the years. Two robust MLAs of Rae Bareli — Samajwadi Social gathering’s Manoj Pandey and Congress’s Aditi Singh — are actually with the BJP, including worries for the grand outdated get together.
What provides to the Congress’s fear is the nosediving vote share of the Congress within the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituency regardless of successive wins. Sonia Gandhi had a 72% vote share within the 2009 Lok Sabha election, whereas it declined to 63% in 2014 and 55% in 2019.
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