COVER STORY

Cousin's quandary

Will Priyanka's political debut nudge Varun Gandhi into joining the Congress?

40-varun-gandhi Varun Gandhi | Sanjay Ahlawat

Can the sister be the bridge to two families estranged by a bitter fight? Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's formal entry into politics was followed by the buzz that her cousin Varun Gandhi was thinking of ditching the BJP for the Congress. But, as of now, both sides are keeping their cards close to their chests.

In the 2014 elections, four members of the Gandhi family—Sonia, Rahul, Maneka and Varun—were elected to the Lok Sabha. Though on opposite sides, they have kept a respectable distance, and have never attacked each other politically. Now, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Priyanka's entry has added a new variable to Uttar Pradesh's political scene.

Before the 2017 assembly elections, many in the BJP wanted Varun to be projected as the chief minister candidate. The youngest Gandhi had had a strong showing at the BJP's national executive meeting in Allahabad the previous year; his posters dominated the city of his forefathers. However, his political ascent was stalled. It was as if he was told: “You may be popular, but your surname does not fit into the BJP's scheme of things.”

Since the beginning of the Modi-Shah era in the BJP, the Sultanpur MP has been either missing or maintaining a low profile. He hit the road and went on a lecture-delivering spree, building a strong base in not just the state, but also throughout the country.

Since then, Varun has positioned himself as a politician who is secular, left of centre and pro-farmer—the attributes of Congress’s Nehruvian ideology. Despite that, he has been careful not to ruffle any saffron feathers. Though he shares a warm relationship with his two cousins, especially Priyanka, he has not been seen with them in public.

The current speculation about his jump gathered steam after Rahul took over as Congress president. But, Varun's “political homecoming” is not a certainty. Sources say he is worried about his mother's political future in case he joins the Congress. Maneka had fallen out with mother-in-law Indira and sister-in-law Sonia after the death of her husband Sanjay Gandhi in 1980. She left the Gandhi household when Varun was just two. He was witness to his mother's long political struggle in Delhi before she built an independent career for herself. Hence, switching political sides might have an emotional cost. “If Varun joins the Congress, what will happen to Maneka?” ask sources. “Will she be welcome there? Or will she even be willing to go? Otherwise, it will open her up to political machinations once Varun goes to the other side.”

As the election date nears, there could be pressure on Varun to unambiguously chose his side. Will he?