Etah, Agra, New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party leader Varun Gandhi will behave, that's what party president Rajnath Singh said after the party's new saffron soldier was released.
Varun was released from Etah jail in Uttar Pradesh, with stern warnings from the Supreme Court and UP Chief Minister Mayawati.
Soon after Varun landed in New Delhi, Rajnath Singh said Varun will campaign for the party and that he will not make any inflammatory speeches. But reflecting the party's ambivalent stand on Varun, Rajnath stood by his claim that he never made any hate speech.
Varun managed to give the slip to reporters and camerapersons waiting at Delhi airport, as he was whisked away from an exclusive VIP gate.
Varun is now expected to accompany his mother and BJP leader Menaka Gandhi when she files her nomination on Saturday from Aola.
Varun's journey:
And as Varun made his way from Etah Jail to Agra airport, it was clear that his stint in jail has only made him a bigger martyr to the saffron cause in the eyes of the BJP's rank and file and other Hindu organisations.
The dramatic manner in which Varun Gandhi was brought to Etah jail, equally dramatic was his exit from Etah.
6.30 pm: Varun Gandhi walks free after 20 days behind bars. His convoy makes its way along the 80 km stretch from Etah to Agra.
6.45 pm: The first stop was Avagara. Vehicles were overloaded with BJP supporters joining Varun's motorcade as it whizzes past this small hamlet.
7 pm: Fifteen km ahead, at Nagla beech, BJP supporters swarm around Varun's car and give him a hero's welcome, perhaps a sign of the inroads he has made during his stint in jail.
7.10 pm: As we drive towards Agra, pockets of Saffron support surfaced in Dundla. They tried to keep pace with their new poster boy.
7.20 pm: Ehtmadbur witnessed perhaps the biggest show of strength for the Saffron Gandhi. Supporters cling to his car hoping to catch a glimpse of their new leader.
But with the Election Commission's camera catching his every move, Varun settled for a wave from inside the car.
7.35 pm: Seven kilometers away from Agra, the Agra police escort took charge.
7.50 pm: A long traffic jam on the highway slowed down the pace of motorcade.
8.10 pm: Varun entered Agra and Jeevni Mundi to avoid more traffic snarls and BJP supporters, the police took a final detour to the airport.
8.30 pm: Varun finally took off for Delhi in an eight-seater chartered plane and headed home.
It was an 80 km drive to Etah. En-route the convoy passed Avagarh, then Nagla Beech, Tundla, Ehtmadpur, and then entered Agra Water works, Jeevni Mandi and then finally the airport where he took Varun Gandhi took the flight to Delhi.