Former BJP MP from Pilibhit expresses discontent after party replaces him with Jitin Prasada
Varun Gandhi, the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from Pilibhit representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is reportedly feeling “cheated” after being replaced by former Congress leader Jitin Prasada as the BJP’s candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. Sources close to Gandhi indicate that he may opt not to contest the elections at all in response to the BJP’s decision.
In a recent move, the BJP announced its fifth list of candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, dropping Varun Gandhi from the Pilibhit constituency while retaining his mother, Maneka Gandhi, as the candidate from Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh. This decision has left Varun Gandhi feeling disillusioned and discontented with the party’s leadership.
Jitin Prasada, who joined the BJP in 2021 after leaving the Congress, has been fielded as the BJP’s candidate from Pilibhit, replacing Varun Gandhi. The sudden replacement has reportedly led Varun Gandhi to express feelings of being “cheated” by the party, prompting speculation that he may abstain from contesting the elections altogether.
Sources reveal that Varun Gandhi has refrained from making an official statement regarding his electoral plans, but there are indications that he may not file his nomination papers for the Pilibhit seat. Despite prior preparations, including the purchase of nomination papers and arrangements for election campaigning, Varun Gandhi’s camp has remained silent since Prasada’s candidature was announced.
Prasada, on the other hand, has commenced his election campaign and is scheduled to file his nomination papers soon. His visit to Pilibhit and interactions with the Sikh community signal his readiness to contest the elections from the constituency.
Varun Gandhi’s purported falling out of favor with the BJP traces back to his criticisms of the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh on various occasions. His vocal dissent against the state government’s actions, along with past controversies, including tweets on sensitive issues, has seemingly strained his relationship with the party leadership.
While Varun Gandhi had previously hinted at contesting the elections independently if denied a BJP ticket, his current stance suggests a growing disenchantment with the party’s decision-making process. As the election deadline looms, the fate of Varun Gandhi’s political career remains uncertain amidst speculation of his potential withdrawal from electoral contention.
