Mother-and son Maneka and Varun Gandhi, who have been prominent figures in the Pilibhit constituency for nearly thirty years, were notably absent when Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his first public address here on Tuesday, urging support for Jitin Prasada, Uttar Pradesh’s public works minister and the BJP’s candidate for the Lok Sabha seat.
Varun Gandhi, the incumbent MP from Pilibhit, has represented the constituency for two terms in the Lok Sabha, while Maneka Gandhi has secured victory in six consecutive terms in the parliamentary elections. However, the party decided not to field Varun this time, instead nominating Jitin Prasada, while Maneka Gandhi is contesting from the Sultanpur Lok Sabha seat, where she emerged victorious in the 2019 elections on a BJP ticket.
Speculation arose throughout the day regarding Varun’s attendance at the PM’s rally, but his supporters clarified that he was out of town with no scheduled visit. Before the PM’s arrival, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, BJP state unit president Bhupendra Chaudhary, Pilibhit candidate Jitin Prasada, and Bareilly candidate Chhatrapal Gangwar were present on the stage.
Leaders of the BJP’s Pilibhit unit revealed that neither Maneka Gandhi nor Varun Gandhi were listed as star campaigners for the Lok Sabha elections in the party’s release. They were neither invited to the event nor included in the campaign for the party candidates contesting in the eight constituencies, including Pilibhit, scheduled for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 19.
Speaking to the media earlier, Maneka Gandhi expressed acceptance of the party’s decision not to field Varun, acknowledging his past contributions and expressing confidence in his future endeavors for the country.
The Pilibhit constituency has been held by either Maneka Gandhi or her son Varun since 1996. Varun won in 2009 and 2019 as a BJP candidate, emerging as a dynamic leader who championed issues concerning farmers, youth, and unemployment, often deviating from the party line. Despite the BJP’s denial of a ticket, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav extended an offer to Varun.
Varun Gandhi conveyed his sentiments to his constituents in an emotional letter, reminiscing about his childhood memories and emphasizing the enduring bond between him and Pilibhit, transcending political affiliations. He pledged to continue advocating for the common man and sought blessings to persist in this endeavor, reaffirming his unwavering connection to Pilibhit and its people.