New Delhi:
On March 6, 2009, Varun Gandhi, contesting the general assembly elections as a BJP candidate, addressed a rally in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, with these words, "If anyone lifts a hand against Hindus, or thinks they are weak, there is nobody behind them, then I swear on the Bhagvad Gita that I will cut off that hand."
Although Gandhi won from the constituency, public outcry greeted his vitriolic and anti-Muslim comments. The great grandson of Jawahar Lal Nehru, India's first prime minister who fought for secularism, was imprisoned on March 28 for a month.
Now, the 30 year-old estranged scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family is keen on making a few changes in his life.
Not only is Gandhi set to tie the knot with Delhi-based designer Yamini Roy -- exactly two years to the date after the controversial speech -- he has also changed his game plan to connect with the masses in preparation for the upcoming 2012 state assembly elections.
Speaking to Sunday MiD DAY, Gandhi laid down his political aim: "The gap between the rich and the poor is widening. I want to introduce a system that generates hope among the poor. They too must feel that they have a stake in India."
The histrionics have been toned down. Gandhi, who has organized 10 rallies in Uttar Pradesh in the past two months, has replaced communal comments with problems faced by the common man.
"There is corruption, nepotism, bribery, inefficiency, and the common man is finding life unbearable," said Gandhi at his most recent rally at Bijnore Town in western UP on February 3. There was no reference to 'Hindus' during his 40-minute speech.
He faulted the Mayawati-led state government that he said had failed to provide medicines and health services to the poor. "Students will get free admissions to technical and medical colleges, and farmers shall be provided with interest-free loans from banks," he promised.
Gandhi has also introduced a subtle yet telling change in his wardrobe. Following in the footsteps of his father, Sanjay Gandhi and other Congress leaders, he is now sporting only white kurtas, albeit with a red tikka on his forehead.
"I never wear any other kurta but a white one," said Gandhi. He had in fact worn a black kurta while delivering his controversial speech, and a fiery red one to the courthouse in the days that followed.
The younger cousin of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is also working hard to improve his oratorical skills. Those who have attended his rallies say he can read the pulse of his audience. He manages the crowd's reactions successfully and gets them to maintain silence or react, given the situation.
"It seems Varun has started to believe in long-term tactics. He wants to usher in another kind of politics, and has learnt a different language to deal with this reality," said a senior BJP leader, who did not want to be named.