News18 citing sources, Varun Gandhi had been "considering" the offer for more than a week after the party suggested it. Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2024 Voting Live The BJP's proposal was driven by recurring media reports indicating that the Congress was likely to field Priyanka Gandhi from the seat. The report further stated citing sources that the Uttar Pradesh BJP supported the idea of him contesting from Rae Bareli.
When approached with the proposal, Varun Gandhi requested time to consider it. However, he ultimately declined the offer, citing his reluctance to engage in an electoral battle that could turn personal and contentious. Earlier, When asked about Gandhi's absence on the dais during Prime Minister Modi's public address in Pilibhit on April 9, Chaudhary responded by saying, “Having all people on the dais is not an issue.
The party has given responsibility to its leaders. It must have thought something good for him." Pilibhit was traditionally groomed by Varun's mother Maneka Gandhi, who has been involved in politics in Pilibhit for a total of seven terms across different years. 1984: Maneka Gandhi lost to Rajiv Gandhi in Amethi by a substantial margin of over 2.7 lakh votes.
1989: She won the Pilibhit seat for the first time on a Janata Dal ticket. 1991: Maneka lost the Pilibhit seat to BJP's Parshuram. 1996: She regained the Pilibhit constituency while running on a Janata Dal ticket.
Also Read: Lok Sabha election 2024: Kharge, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi among Congress star campaigners for UP 1998 and 1999: Maneka won Pilibhit, first as an independent in 1998 and then again in 1999. 2004: Maneka joined the BJP and secured victory from Pilibhit. 2009: Maneka moved to Aonla, allowing her son Varun Gandhi, then 29
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