Reported By: Pallavi Ghosh
Last Updated: November 08, 2023, 14:48 IST
Both brothers had studied together in London once. However, the bond fell apart and both have not met as a family since then. (News18)
Sources say the two cousins sat for about 40 minutes and exchanged pleasantries but there was no political talk at all
God has his ways. At the Kedarnath shrine, it was divine providence that two estranged cousins Varun Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi — in a pure coincidence as sources pointed out — had a chance meeting.
It all happened as Rahul Gandhi was waiting to take off for Dehradun while Varun Gandhi was waiting with his family to visit the shrine. Sources say the two sat for about 40 minutes and exchanged pleasantries but there was no political talk at all.
The two have had little interaction over the years. The bitterness in relations between the two daughters-in-law of Indira Gandhi — Sonia Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi — has spilt over to their children. This was heightened when Maneka Gandhi and Varun Gandhi joined BJP. Once, responding to a question, Rahul Gandhi did say his cousin has “joined an ideology which is divisive in nature and hence, it’s not possible to come together”.
Barring a few rare instances, the cousins have not spoken against each other. However, during a campaign in 2014, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had said Varun Gandhi had gone astray. Varun had then responded by saying she had crossed the ‘Lakshman Rekha’ and lines of decency.
Beyond this, there has been no such public spat but the two have had closer relations in comparison to the one between Varun Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Incidentally, both brothers had studied together in London once. However, the bond fell apart and both have not met as a family since then. Though when Varun Gandhi got married and also when he had a daughter, invitations were sent to the Gandhis.
Sources say Rahul Gandhi spoke extensively with Varun Gandhi’s daughter Anasuya during the chance meeting and asked about her hobbies. He also showed her some pictures he had clicked during his travels. It was a family reunion and Varun Gandhi’s wife too chimed in, discussing Rahul Gandhi’s fitness regime with him. They departed with an invitation exchanged to catch up soon at either Varun Gandhi’s house or Priyanka’s as Rahul Gandhi quipped that he was “homeless”.
There has been some speculation that Varun Gandhi, who is on the back foot with the BJP and has often raised issues which could be seen as taking on the Centre, could join the Congress. Though this has been rejected by all sides, there is no clarity on where Varun Gandhi will contest from in 2024.
Many feel that given the intelligence and good oratory power of Varun Gandhi, the coming together of cousins would be a powerhouse. However, this may need a divine intervention.
