BJP's fate in UP to determine Varun's stature

While a satisfactory performance by the BJP is certain to enhance Varun’s stature several notches, a less than average showing may adversely impact the young saffron party leader, who is making a debut in the electoral politics.

Varun shot into prominence following the slapping of the NSA on him by the UP government in the wake of his alleged inflammatory speech at Pilibhit last month.
He spent 19 days in prison before being granted parole by the Supreme Court.

He  has been campaigning extensively in several other nearby constituencies seeking votes for his party nominees. The “new poster boy” of the BJP received a shot in the arm after the Advisory Board of the Allahabad High Court held the imposition of the provosions of the NSA on him invalid on Friday.

Incidently, half of the seats which will go to the polls in the final phase are close to Varun Gandhi’s Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency.

Muslim presence

A section of the state BJP leaders feel that the “Varun factor” will definitely help the saffron party in winning a majority of the seats going to the polls in the final phase.
“We are already witnessing a clear polarisation in many seats...it will only help the BJP nominees,” claimed a senior UP leader said.

“The fact that a majority of constituencies have a sizeable Muslim presence will go in our favour,”  the leader added.

While it is true that the Muslims have a large presence in many constituencies, whether they will vote en bloc in favour of one party remains to be seen, said a Samajwadi Party leader.

SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary rejects the contention that there could be polarisation of voters in the area owing to Varun Gandhi.

Interestingly, Varun is the focus of attack from the leaders of the BSP, Congress and SP. BSP supremo Mayawati exhorted  dalits and Muslims to join hands to “thwart the designs of communal forces.”

Congress and SP leaders also appealed to all sections of  society to oppose the communal forces. Apparently they know that any Muslim polarisation will only help the BJP.

The BJP had in the 2004 Lok Sabha polls could win only two of the 14 seats—Pilibhit and Bareilly. This time it has its eyes on some other neighbouring seats besides the two. The Varun factor, the state party leaders feel, could help them in Aonla, Shahajahanpur, Dhaurahara and Kheri also.

“Varun’s stature within the party will get a boost if the party fares well,” said a UP leader. He also pointed out there was also a section in the BJP which had opposed Varun. “An average performance will increase attack on Varun,” he said.