New Delhi: A shock encounter between Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and his cousin, BJP MP Varun Gandhi, unfolded on the serene backdrop of Kedarnath temple on a Tuesday, as each launched into a religious journey. This sudden assembly between the 2 cousins, who’ve seldom been seen collectively in public, has despatched ripples of hypothesis via political circles, notably regarding Varun Gandhi’s political future.
Eyewitnesses on the sacred shrine shared that the Gandhis had a quick but heat alternate of pleasantries. The encounter was described as “very short” however notably “warm.” It’s reported that Rahul Gandhi was delighted to fulfill Varun’s daughter throughout this sudden reunion. Although their paths hardly ever cross, it is value noting that the cousins have maintained a “good and cordial” relationship.
Varun Gandhi, son of Sanjay and Maneka Gandhi, has conspicuously been absent from key BJP gatherings in latest months. His vocal criticisms on pivotal points, together with the now-repealed farm legal guidelines, have additional distanced him inside his personal celebration.
Last yr, throughout a press convention, when Rahul Gandhi was requested whether or not Varun Gandhi could be welcomed into the Congress fold, his response was intriguing. He talked about that whereas anybody was welcome, Varun had “adopted the ideology of the BJP/RSS,” which stood in opposition to the ideas of the Congress.
What Happened In 1982, Why Maneka Gandhi Moved Out Of The Gandhi Household?
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The assembly of Rahul and Varun at Kedarnath in Uttarakhand attracts an uncanny parallel with historical past. It hearkens again to the occasions of 1982 when Varun’s mom, Maneka Gandhi, and daughter-in-law of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was compelled to go away the Gandhi family underneath the shroud of evening.
Back then, the Gandhi household resided collectively at Delhi’s Safdarjung, the place Rahul Gandhi was born on June 19, 1970, and Varun Gandhi on March 13, 1980. Their coexistence was harmonious till the tragic demise of Sanjay Gandhi in 1980, which marked a turning level. Indira Gandhi then handed Sanjay Gandhi’s legacy to Rahul, an act that led to a widening rift between Maneka and Indira.
Noted creator Khushwant Singh, in his autobiography, highlighted the rising discord between the 2, making it more and more difficult for them to share a roof. On that fateful day, March 28, 1982, within the presence of media and police personnel, Maneka left the Prime Minister’s residence with Varun.
Spanish author Javier Moro, in his ebook ‘The Red Sari,’ recounted the evening’s occasions. He wrote of Maneka’s displeasure at her husband’s legacy being wrested away by his brother, sparking intense friction between her and Indira. This friction culminated when Maneka addressed a gathering in Lucknow together with her husband’s supporters, delivering a passionate speech. Indira, who was in London on the time, returned dwelling decided to claim her authority.
The confrontation escalated, and finally, in a tense face-off, Indira ordered Maneka to go away the home instantly. Varun’s presence sophisticated issues, as Maneka refused to depart with out her son. Eventually, it was determined that Varun would keep together with his grandmother, Indira.
Maneka Gandhi went on to discovered the Rashtriya Sanjay Manch however confronted quite a few obstacles, and her political enterprise didn’t achieve a lot traction. She contested the 1984 Lok Sabha elections as an Independent candidate from Amethi however was defeated.
Her affiliation with the BJP started in 2004 after she received an election from Pilibhit on the celebration’s ticket. In 2009, Varun Gandhi contested from Pilibhit and emerged victorious, turning into a Member of Parliament. Varun’s political journey throughout the BJP accelerated as he grew to become the youngest General Secretary of the celebration in 2013.
However, some latest developments have raised hypothesis about Varun’s political allegiance. He has taken stands on people-centric points via his tweets, newspaper articles, and public speeches that aren’t at all times aligned with the BJP’s official stance. Interestingly, neither Varun nor his mom, Maneka Gandhi, prominently point out the saffron celebration of their Twitter bios. Moreover, they haven’t actively campaigned for the BJP throughout latest meeting elections in Uttar Pradesh.
This sudden encounter at Kedarnath has piqued curiosity concerning the Gandhi household’s dynamics and its potential implications for Varun’s political future. The Gandhi saga continues to unfold, leaving political observers and pundits intrigued by the chances that lie forward.
