Rahul Gandhi - Varun Gandhi's Unexpected Meeting Evoke Political Speculation (image:twitter.com/SurrbhiM)

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his cousin, Varun Gandhi, a BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh”s Pilibhit had an unexpected meeting on Tuesday at Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand. Both leaders went to the temple to seek prayers.

Their brief meeting inside the premises of the shrine was confirmed by Temple Committee President Ajayendra Ajay. The sources report that they had pleasant exchanges and Rahul Gandhi was “very happy” to meet Varun”s daughter. Varun Gandhi is the son of Sanjay and Maneka Gandhi.

Congress leader Ganesh Godiyal told TOI: “It was a short, pleasant meeting which lasted around four-five minutes and no political message should be derived from it. Varun introduced his family to Rahul. They had a brief interaction. Thereafter, Rahul took the chopper for Dehradun.”

The meeting between both leaders, who are hardly seen together in public has evoked speculation in the political arena, since Varun is not seen in recent BJP party meetings and activities. Though BJP MP is active in his constituency he abstains from making any comments on critical issues as well.

However, close sources report to news agency PTI that nothing political was discussed at this unexpected meeting. Varun Gandhi visited the temple along with his family and offered prayers.

It was on Sunday, Congress MP reached Kedarnath on three-day “personal visit.” First, he arrived at Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, from where he flew to the Kedarnath temple in a helicopter. Previously, it was in 2015 he had trekked Kedarnath shrine when Congress was in power. On Monday, Congress leader had organised a “bhandara” in the temple vicinity and served food to around 1500 devotees.