Lucknow:
This election may have had a dearth of issues, but it will perhaps be remembered for being more malicious than previous years. And among the most vitriolic campaigns was perhaps run by Varun Gandhi.
Love him or hate him, but there is no denying the fact that this election has led to the emergence of the young Gandhi whose supporters claim he is the BJP's future.
Just one day before he goes to the polls, Mayawati has launched her latest salvo against him. The UP Chief Minister's government has filed an appeal against the revocation of NSA against Varun Gandhi.
It's perhaps a well thought out strategy because after all, most of the areas in Uttar Pradesh that poll on Wednesday are Muslim dominated. But will it do anything to stop the BJP's rising star and his potent cocktail of politics and religion?
What began as an attempt to polarise the electorate in Pilibhit, turned the other Gandhi into a Hindutva hero.
People like Satish Mahana may have spent more years in politics than Varun's 29 birthdays, yet it was to him that Mahana turned to draw in votes in this Lok Sabha election.
And Mahana is not alone. Varun was in demand from candidates across the country, though he chose to focus on UP, campaigning in areas outside Piliphit as well.
When he started this election, mother Maneka's six-time winning streak from Pilibhit was seen to be his biggest advantage. But today, it's Varun's popularity that Maneka his banking upon.
Sources close to Varun say that while his ranbhoomi might be Pilibhit, he sees all of Uttar Pradesh as his karmbhoomi.
And if things go according to Varun's gameplan, he'll be the face of the state BJP in the next assembly election. But first, he has to make sure he's voted to Parliament on May 13.