Varun’s No-Show: What’s Behind Pilibhit Rally Snub?
<p>In the domain of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, there lies a focal point of attention as Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on his campaign voyage spanning three states. This marks his inaugural rally since ascending to the helm of the nation in 2014. Efforts to uphold law and order have led to the deployment of […]</p>
Varun’s No-Show: What’s Behind Pilibhit Rally Snub?
In the domain of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, there lies a focal point of attention as Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on his campaign voyage spanning three states. This marks his inaugural rally since ascending to the helm of the nation in 2014.
Efforts to uphold law and order have led to the deployment of PAC, paramilitary, and a formidable police presence. Helipads have been meticulously arranged three kilometers distant from the rally grounds, complemented by a maze of traffic diversions. The Prime Minister’s aim is to rally support for Jitin Prasada, who now assumes the mantle once held by Varun Gandhi.
Varun Gandhi, disheartened by the denial of his ticket, conveyed his disillusionment through a fervent missive to his constituents. Over the preceding biennium, Gandhi had expressed his dissent towards the leadership of his party.
The likelihood of Varun’s participation in the rally is now exceedingly slim. Additionally, citing health concerns, he casts further uncertainty on his potential presence. Notably, Gandhi has neither pledged support to Prasada nor launched any political offensives.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) endeavors to secure the favor of voters in anticipation of the imminent Lok Sabha Election, particularly as Pilibhit is slated to cast its ballots in the inaugural round on April 19. The party seeks to repudiate the portrayal of Prasada as an “outsider.”
Former Union Minister Prasada, a stalwart of the Congress-led UPA, contends with Bhagwat Charan Gangwar of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Anees Ahmad Khan of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
For the past three and a half decades, Pilibhit has been synonymous with Maneka Gandhi and her familial legacy. However, this time around, Gandhi finds herself bereft of a party ticket. Following the rejection of his candidacy, Gandhi reassured his constituents of his unwavering commitment to their cause.
The BJP has vested significant prestige in three constituencies of the region—Meerut, Saharanpur, and Pilibhit. While the party relinquished the Saharanpur seat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it narrowly clinched victory in Meerut. In the absence of Varun or Maneka, the saffron party is leaving no stone unturned to retain Pilibhit and convey a resolute message.
On Tuesday, during his second sojourn to the state within three days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to address a subsequent electoral gathering in the Naxal-affected precincts of Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh. The Prime Minister’s discourse at Balaghat is scheduled to commence at 2:30 PM.
Jabalpur, the nucleus of the Mahakoshal region, bore witness to a roadshow hosted by the Prime Minister on Sunday. On April 19, the constituencies of Sidhi, Shahdol (ST), Jabalpur, Mandla (ST), Balaghat, and Chhindwara will partake in the preliminary phase of elections.
These constituencies are nestled within the Vindhya and Mahakoshal regions. The electoral contenders vying for Balaghat comprise Bharti Pardhi (BJP), Samrat Saraswat (Congress), and Kankar Munjare (BSP).
Chhindwara, the lone Lok Sabha seat eluding the BJP’s grasp in Madhya Pradesh in 2019, remained within the Congress’s purview. A crowd numbering between 25,000 to 30,000 is anticipated to converge upon the Prime Minister’s rally in Chhindwara today, as per estimates furnished by the BJP.
