Varun Dilemma confronts BJP in Delhi

Delhi candidates non-committal over the new star campaigner canvassing support for them

Varun Dilemma confronts BJP in Delhi

Delhi candidates non-committal over the new star campaigner canvassing support for them

From a pretty non-descript entry into politics Varun Gandhi has come to be the most sought after politician in the country, both by his own party and the Opposition as well as the media.

If on one hand the inflammatory speech at Pilibhit, from where the son of Sanjay and Maneka Gandhi is contesting, landed him in trouble with the law on the other hand it has made him the most discussed personality in the country.

Even as the BJP has already announced its intentions to cash-in-on the frenzy around the Gandhi they have among their ranks many party candidates feel that the move may backfire too.

This is the reason that the BJP candidates in Delhi are treading cautiously over Varun campaigning for them. Though some of them like the RSS strong man Baikunth Lal Sharma 'Prem'u00a0party candidate from North East Delhiu00a0feel that public meetings featuring Varun would help him others like Vijay Goel, who is contesting from New Delhi has not "made up his mind".

When asked about the Varun campaigning for him, Goel told MiD DAY: "The party will decide over the issue. I have not pondered over it so far." It is notable here that Goel's constituency is by far the most posh and has a large number of young educated voters. However, Sharma was more forthcoming. "A lion can't be a fox and a fox can't be a lion. We still remember the role of Sanjay Gandhi during emergency. Varun is son of that Sanjay. He is the answer. Is it a sin being a Hindu?," asked Sharma, who was instrumental in breaking the stronghold of late Congress MP HKL Bhagat over the erstwhile East Delhi constituency.

Delhi BJP president OP Kohli said that the party will definitely seek Varun's help in campaigning. "Congress has made Varun a national leader overnight and people have started liking him. As his demand will be felt we will definitely use him. The campaign in Delhi is in primary stages now. We will definitely call Varun for campaigning," said Kohli.

According to a close associate of a senior BJP leader, BJP candidates in Delhi are still calculating the impact that Varun could make in Delhi. "Whether Varun factor will be beneficial for us or not, it is still not clear," he said.

Vijender Gupta, who is contesting election against Kapil Sibal from Chandni Chowk, said that the programme of star campaigners was decided by the central leadership only. "Varun is contesting election himself. I don't know how much time he could spare for others. However, I am yet to make up my mind to invite Varun to campaign for me," Gupta said.

Chandni Chowk constituency has a sizeable number of minority voters and it might be weighing upon the mind of Gupta, who is also the MCD standing committee chairman, that if Varun would campaign for him it would not go down well with them.

"It may polarize the Muslim voters in favour of Sibal," said a BJP leader, requesting anonymity.

Meera Kanwaria, BJP candidate from North West Delhi, said she would be more than happy if Varun would canvass support for her. "It is a shame how the Congress has twisted the remarks of Varun Gandhi. I don't know the star campaigners who would visit my constituency but I will certainly welcome Varun in my constituency," Kanwaria told MiD DAY.

Former Delhi finance minister and party candidate from West Delhi constituency Jagdish Mukhi said that the Varun CD was doctored. "Varun is a young leader and his appeal will definitely attract the youth. If the state unit of my party is planning to engage Varun for campaign, I have not objection to it," Mukhi said.

However, Parag Jain, DPCC secretary said that Delhi voters cast their vote based on issues. "No star campaigners can turn the electorate in Delhi, which has about 40 per cent young voters," Jain said.

"Jai Shri Ram is not the copyright of the BJP. I don't know why Varun was using the slogan in his election campaign. It will backfire for him and his party," said Dr Sanjay Dhingra, a resident of Chandni Chowk.