Varun Gandhi- Fighting for his own 'Space'

I first heard of Varun Gandhi, son of Meneka and Sanjay Gandhi, some years ago when he published his book of poems “The otherness of self”. It was well attended function by the political class of that time. It was an impressive debut in public life. Observing him from the columns of newspapers, I think he is very calculative and smart. His decision to attach his gransfather’s name Feroze with his own name caught everyone’s attention. He calls himself Feroze Varun Gandhi. Varun already had sympathy of all, for losing his father in an early age (He was only 3 months old when Sanjay Gandhi died). Also his decision to bring his grandpa’s name (Feroze, an inspiring MP, has long been forgotten) again in limelight endeared him to the media and political class of India, except I assume Congress party which was lead by Sonia Gandhi who herself was trying to bring ‘not so impressive at that time’ Rahul Gandhi into congress.

Varun knew well that there is no place for him in congress and her mother was already out of Janta Dal. She has won last election as in independent. BJP was at its best under Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s leadership. No time is late….Meneka and Varun joined BJP and found a promoter in Pramod Maharaj who took Varun to many political sabhas all over India in 2004 general election. Varun was below 25 and could not fight the election in 2004 but he became the star campaigner for BJP. Pramod Maharaj nurtured and promoted him to the hilt.

And then the tragedy struck. BJP unexpectedly lost 2004 general elections and Pramod Mahajan died. Varun wanted to fight by-elections from Vidisha, MP but was denied ticket by BJP given the pressure from local unit against an outsider. Varun went sulking and rejected the posts of youth leader and secretary offered by BJP.

This long wait for ambitious Varun ended in 2009 when BJP announced his name in its very first list from Pilibhit, a constituency laboriously served for him. It was thought as an easy challenge for him till this fiasco happened. He was caught speaking against a community and was termed communal.
He said, “This is not a 'Hand' (Congress symbol), it is the power of the 'Lotus' (BJP symbol). It will cut the head of ....... Jai Shri Ram."
He told another meeting "If anyone raises a finger towards Hindus or if someone thinks that Hindus are weak and leaderless, if someone thinks that these leaders lick our boots for votes, if anyone raises a finger towards Hindus, then I swear on Gita that I will cut that hand."

A young and ambitious third generation of leaders in BJP was turned overnight into a communal and selfish politician.
He replied to all the charges:
He said, “I am a Gandhi, a Hindu and an Indian in equal measure,” He went on to add, “I have not made any communal statement...I want the people to stand by me. It is a malicious attempt to brand me communal. There is no question of my having any ill feeling towards (any) community," he said.
"My attempt is to instill confidence in a community which feels it is under siege in their own country."
Whatever he says…not doubt...it has dented his image and to an extent his confidence. Election Commission and Media is going all out against him. He needs to learn the trade early or it would not be late when

Indian electoral confines him to the pages of history and non-importance.

Rahul Gandhi is learning it fast and in right way. Varun keep cool, shed your fear of loss and turn into an ideal leader that India needs today.