In politics it's the little telltale signs, the cues, which could lead to more.
On June 23, a tweet from the Congress party's official handle @incindia surprised many. It paid a tribute to Sanjay Gandhi on his death anniversary. Surprising, because everyone is aware of the bitterness between the two Gandhi families who are now on opposite sides of the political spectrum.
Even more surprising, for the first time in years, Sonia Gandhi went to Sanjay Gandhi's samadhi; the cousins are said to have exchanged sms messages on that day. On cue, many Congress leaders too tweeted in remembrance of Sanjay Gandhi.
While many senior Congress leaders have secretly been in touch with Varun Gandhi, the bitterness between Maneka and Sonia Gandhi has forced them to keep it hidden.
In the last Uttar Pradesh elections, the bitterness had become obvious when Priyanka Gandhi criticised her cousin Varun for his 2013 hate speech. Varun had retaliated emotionally.
Since then, there has been a discreet hands-off policy, with the Gandhi cousins sharing stage at times. And when they have crossed paths at social functions like marriages, the bond between Priyanka and Varun was obvious to many. The two are believed to be in touch periodically too, though politics has never been discussed.
So why's the tweet so significant?
Because it's a sign that Congress wants to do two things.
One, play naughty. Varun is now seen as left of centre, often taking on his own government and party through his writings. His uneasy relationship with the BJP top brass is known, and it's also a fact that just before the Allahabad BJP executive meet, he was 'warned' not to indulge in a show of strength.
It's also a fact that as BJP searches for a UP face, Varun wouldn't mind being that face.
Congress wants to needle BJP by showing a sudden affinity for Sanjay Gandhi. In the process, making things perhaps even more difficult for Varun Feroze Gandhi, as he prefers to be called.
But apart from this, there is a plan beyond UP elections, and it's one which Priyanka is believed to be amenable to. The plan is to get the Gandhi Parivar together.
Varun is articulate, politically astute and could be an asset to the Congress. The only problem is whether he would be a threat to his cousin Rahul, and about how to fit in Varun, Rahul - and possibly, Priyanka - together.
But politics and political parties have ways to create posts and positions to accommodate. And if Varun's entry is worked out, then it's not a big deal.
But what will a Varun entry bring to the Congress?
First, talent. Varun with his oratory power would be a huge asset for a party which isn't high on oration. As parties like JDU, Trinamool and even AAP are emerging as an alternative to the BJP and Congress, the grand old party needs grand speakers.
Second, youth and political savvy. Varun is believed to work on maps and outlines of caste combinations, not just of UP, but across the country. A voracious reader, Varun is politically very smart, and Congress could do with this talent.
But most importantly, Congress hopes to strike a blow to the BJP campaign of Gandhi-mukt Bharat. To wean away someone of their own, even though he may not be popular and close to the top brass, would be huge news ahead of Lok Sabha polls.
Stifled in the BJP, Varun Gandhi certainly has more to gain in the Congress than in the BJP. And the message which the Congress wants to send ultimately to the BJP is - blood is thicker than politics, and you cannot keep the Gandhis away from each other.
Comments
0 comment