A recent public outreach campaign in the Baheri Assembly constituency, reportedly conducted by a representative of Varun Gandhi, has once again reignited speculation about the political future of the BJP’s sidelined former Pilibhit MP.
During meetings with party workers, supporters and local residents, discussions reportedly focused on strengthening the organisation, consolidating support and preparing for upcoming political events, which also suggested deliberations on political strategy, organisational expansion and ways to reinforce the party’s grassroots presence in the region.
Baheri falls within the Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency, which Varun Gandhi represented until the 2024 general elections. Political circles are, therefore, abuzz with speculation that the BJP may be considering bringing Varun Gandhi back into action ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh—the state where he has represented two constituencies, Pilibhit and Sultanpur, in the Lok Sabha.
In fact, speculation around Varun first started when Varun Gandhi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with members of his family earlier this year. The meeting set political circles abuzz, with observers viewing it as a possible sign that the BJP leadership is considering bringing him back into active politics. Given that Varun Gandhi’s wife, Yamini Roy Chaudhary, belongs to a prominent Bengali family, the buzz was that the BJP was considering fielding her in the West Bengal Assembly elections or involving Varun in the campaign there.
That was said to be Varun Gandhi’s first direct interaction with Prime Minister Modi after he was denied a BJP ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Following the meeting, Varun Gandhi also shared a message on social media, describing PM Modi’s presence as one of “wonderful paternal affection” and referring to him as the “true guardian of the nation and its people.”
Both Varun Gandhi and his mother, Maneka Gandhi, were perceived as having been sidelined within the party. Political observers, therefore, interpreted the meeting as a possible attempt by Varun Gandhi to repair his relationship with the BJP leadership and pave the way for a return to active politics.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP fielded former Congress leader Jitin Prasada from Pilibhit, replacing Varun Gandhi. The constituency had been represented by Maneka Gandhi before she vacated the seat for her son in 2019.
Varun Gandhi had drawn the BJP leadership’s ire through a series of critical interventions, including comments on the deaths during the Lakhimpur Kheri violence. He had also been critical on issues including unemployment, vacant government posts and some policy initiatives of the Centre.