Varun's praise for Rahul rankles BJP brass

BJP general secretary and party nominee from Sultanpur Lok Sabha seat Varun Gandhi made a U-turn after praising his estranged cousin and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for the  development works in the latter’s Parliamentary constituency of Amethi.

But the statement has already embarrassed the BJP and brought a smile on Rahul’s face. “It should not be taken as an endorsement of any individual or party,” Varun clarified through a tweet after being reportedly asked to explain his praise for Rahul.

The saffron leader, while addressing a meeting of teachers in Sultanpur on Tuesday, praised Rahul’s work in Amethi. “Rahulji has successfully implemented the concept of self-help groups in Amethi. It is a good thing,” Varun 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.

In Delhi, BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad avoided a public snub of Varun but made it clear that it was not the party's position.