It's terrifying and it's tragic. It's terrifying to watch how cynically politicians can reduce religion to nothing more than a vote catching gimmick. How many of us who watched Varun Gandhi rally crowds with his shouts of Jai Sri Ram, actually believe that this was driven by devotion? Why is a religious slogan used at a political rally in the first place? Contrast this with the Varun we first met 5 years ago, when he entered politics at the age of 24, too young to fight an election but already being groomed for the Pilibhit seat.

My colleague Barkha Dutt accompanied him on the campaign trail with his mother, Maneka. At that time when asked on UP BJP leader Vinay Katiyar's hardline speeches, he said and I quote " I'm not a politician...I think my mother has taught me compassion, she has taught me discipline and I hope to put them to test this time".

So, what happened? What changed a young, educated, poet politician into a venom spouting leader who would put Narendra Modi to shame? Political insiders, would say its fear. Fear that in a tough election, appealing to caste or community is the only way to win. Hate speeches in Uttar Pradesh from both Hindu and Muslim leaders are part of the campaign landscape. Development and progress are the tough parts, issues a politician can't rely on to build a votebank.  At the end, it's all about political power and how it can corrupt. Just trace how India's first political family has changed from the time of Jawaharlal Nehru.