Saharanpur:
The first chapter of the Gen Next Gandhi vs Gandhi saga in Uttar Pradesh is being scripted today, with newly-appointed BJP secretary Varun Gandhi arriving in Saharanpur with the blessings of the RSS to go forth and take on his older cousin Rahul Gandhi.
In his first public appearance after being given an important party post and assignment, Varun made clear UP would be his battleground. He took on Chief Minister Mayawati saying: "The state says it has no money for giving the poor, except that there can be garlands worth 5 crore that the government can have."
And also: "I say to Mala Vati , I don't know should I call her Maya or Malavati ji, I have great respect for her, and she gave me lots of love during electioneering...I will say to her, that I will give her even more love when our time comes." Varun was jailed for his hate speeches in UP last year.
All eyes were on Varun today to see how different his demeanour and words would be with the weight of party designation. Also on every mind, the big Gandhi factor that has worked in favour of Varun, a man who the BJP had sought to distance itself from only last year.
Varun admitted that the name mattered. "All of us want to work, but the truth is that if I was called something like Varun Ganguly then maybe I would not get space on this stage, but I say that it is important to get as many ordinary folks to take part in politics too."
Shades of Rahul Gandhi's mantra that the country needs more young people to join politics? Not surprising. Varun's assignment is to storm UP and counter his cousin who has been making waves and much political progress with his earthy approach. The RSS believes Varun is the man to stand up to the Rahul charisma.
So far, Varun has been noticed most for his hate speeches during elections campaigns, and there were more than a few raised eyebrows when he was given a party post.
But new BJP chief Nitin Gadkari has defended the inclusion of Varun as party secretary telling NDTV in an interview recently: "Varun should be given a chance, why hold the past against him?"
And so, with the firm backing of the RSS, a Gandhi son rises in the saffron camp.
In his first public appearance after being given an important party post and assignment, Varun made clear UP would be his battleground. He took on Chief Minister Mayawati saying: "The state says it has no money for giving the poor, except that there can be garlands worth 5 crore that the government can have."
And also: "I say to Mala Vati , I don't know should I call her Maya or Malavati ji, I have great respect for her, and she gave me lots of love during electioneering...I will say to her, that I will give her even more love when our time comes." Varun was jailed for his hate speeches in UP last year.
All eyes were on Varun today to see how different his demeanour and words would be with the weight of party designation. Also on every mind, the big Gandhi factor that has worked in favour of Varun, a man who the BJP had sought to distance itself from only last year.
Varun admitted that the name mattered. "All of us want to work, but the truth is that if I was called something like Varun Ganguly then maybe I would not get space on this stage, but I say that it is important to get as many ordinary folks to take part in politics too."
Shades of Rahul Gandhi's mantra that the country needs more young people to join politics? Not surprising. Varun's assignment is to storm UP and counter his cousin who has been making waves and much political progress with his earthy approach. The RSS believes Varun is the man to stand up to the Rahul charisma.
So far, Varun has been noticed most for his hate speeches during elections campaigns, and there were more than a few raised eyebrows when he was given a party post.
But new BJP chief Nitin Gadkari has defended the inclusion of Varun as party secretary telling NDTV in an interview recently: "Varun should be given a chance, why hold the past against him?"
And so, with the firm backing of the RSS, a Gandhi son rises in the saffron camp.
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