Etah: Rajnath Singh, the biggest shot of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), after party's prime ministerial candidate Lal Krishna Advani, went all the way to Etah on Monday to visit Varun Gandhi in what is being seen as a solid show of support.
However, many in the party feel they are getting confused signals. The BJP says it disassociates itself with everything that Varun Gandhi said, but then they've virtually made him their election mascot or hero.
As the BJP president visited the new saffron poster boy in jail, there was clearly more than just concern on the agenda
Barely an hour after that meeting, Rajnath Singh went to the people of Etah, leaving no one in doubt that Varun is now a poll issue for the party.
"He has never even hurt a fly but he's accused of killing. Congress and BSP are responsible. The public will never forgive them," said Rajnath.
No better time than now, no better way than Varun for the BJP to bring itself back in Etah, which was its stronghold for nearly 25 years before the Samajwadi Party came to power in 1998.
Thousands of Hindutva supporters attended the rally and their sympathies were quite firmly with the political greenhorn turned saffron hero.
"Haven't heard Varun's speeches but what happened is wrong. This will be good for the public," said a resident.
Varun's speeches still stirring up the dust, but can the Varun factor now swing it for the BJP in Etah?