Maneka Gandhi likely to vacate Pilibhit seat for son Varun ahead of 2019 polls

Union Minister Maneka Gandhi might vacate her Pilibhit seat for son Varun Gandhi for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, according to sources. The final decision in the matter would be taken by the BJP leadership, they said.

The BJP may have Varun contest from Pilibhit instead of his own seat, Sultanpur, which is next to Amethi, the constituency of his cousin and Congress president Rahul Gandhi. According to the sources, the suggestion was made by Maneka amid apprehensions that Varun might be defeated by a strong Congress candidate.

The Union minister might instead contest the election from Karnal in Haryana. The Lok Sabha election will be held in seven rounds from April 11 to May 19 and the results will be declared on May 23.

(With inputs from agencies.)