Maneka tells Varun to use 'mind' not 'heart'

After her son’s praise for his estranged cousin and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s work in Amethi raised the hackles of the BJP leadership, saffron leader Maneka Gandhi on Thursday advised Varun to use “mind” instead of “heart” while making any statement.

Maneka, who is a BJP candidate from Pilibhit Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, termed her son a “very simple” person with a “pure heart”. “Varun is too simple. He must have made the statement after being told about the same by some other person. It’s not his fault,” Maneka said.

She said no development has taken place in Amethi in the past 45 years. “I have advised Varun to use his mind instead of heart before making any statement,” she added.

Addressing teachers in Sultanpur recently, Varun had praised Rahul’s work in Amethi. “Rahulji has successfully implemented the concept of self-help groups in Amethi. It is a good thing,” he had said.

While the BJP may have been left red-faced, Rahul lapped up the remarks and said that Varun was right. “It is good that people are now appreciating my work in Amethi,” he said in Raebareli on Wednesday.

As the BJP leadership took strong exception to his statement, Varun made a “U-turn” and said, “It should not be taken as an endorsement of any individual or party.”